BRADSHAW suffered a disappointing 40-run defeat in the semi-final of the National Knockout to Northern League side Leyland.

Chris Partington (63) and David Makinson (34) helped Leyland to a total of 233-9 – with Tom Liversedge the pick of the bowlers taking 3-20 while there were also wickets for Stuart Hornby (3-67), Anthony Jones (2-39) and Philip Dickinson (1-52).

Liversedge was left to fight the battle alone but when he turned his hand to the bat and scored 69 – including 12 fours.

However, fellow opener Hornby faced just 18 balls before being out for 11.

A flurry of wickets followed with Nick Lester (13), Rob Hardman (14), Jon Kerrigan (duck) and Anthony Jones (10) leaving Bradshaw in trouble on 131-5.

Liversedge had managed to spearhead the Rigby's side's challenge but when he was out at 139-6 their challenge looks to be over.

But a late rally by Steve Foster added 19 to the score and they finished all out for 193.

Only five batsmen reached double figures with Andrew Makinson (6-41) inspired his side to a 40-run victory.

Elsewhere, Oliver Newby steered the Bolton League to victory over the Central Lancashire League at Milnrow CC on Sunday.

Bolton were seemingly on the rocks at 139-6 chasing a winning target of 203, but the former Lancashire player, supported by the other tail-enders, hit an unbeaten 34 to help his team over the line with eight wickets down.

Newby got the chance to stage his late heroics after Paul Ingram (65) and Phil Cavill (31) had put Bolton well on their way.

Earlier in the day, CLL captain Simon North scored 37 early on, before Jake Hooson of Walsden added 36.

A strong middle-order bumped up the total as James Rawlinson, Dan Morris and Ben Chapman all chipped in with 31 each.

Egerton duo Adam Street (2-23) and Will Halton (2-39), along with Astley Bridge’s Syd De Silva (2-47) aided in restricting the score to 202-8 with decent bowling figures.