LANCASHIRE Lightning eased to their fifth win in seven games as they defeated Leicestershire Foxes by six wickets in the Clydesdale Bank 40 Group A clash at Grace Road.

Stephen Moore, Ashley Prince and Steven Croft all hit half centuries as Lancashire cruised to their victory target of 219 with 4.2 overs to spare.

The win puts them two points behind leaders Middlesex, with three games in hand.

The Foxes could only post a disappointing 218 for eight despite a brilliant unbeaten 83 from 18-year-old Shiv Thakor, while Lancashire’s veteran seamer, Glen Chapple, claimed four for 46 – his best return for six years in the 40-over game.

An opening stand of 108 in 17 overs between Moore and Prince gave Lightning the perfect start, with Moore dominating the early stages of the innings scoring 36 of the 48 runs that came off the first power play.

He reached 50 off 46 balls – his fifth in seven games – but was then caught at cover off medium pacer Michael Thornely for 60.

Prince reached his half century off 62 balls with two fours plus a six off Thakor, but holed out to mid-wicket having hit 85 off 89 balls.

Two wickets in successive balls from Taylor brought a brief halt to Lancashire’s progress but Croft saw them home with an unbeaten 57 off 58 balls.

Thakor, who has just taken his A-levels, was the star turn of Leicestershire’s innings in his first game in the competition this season, after the Foxes had plunged to 68 for four in 16 overs. Will Jones was out lbw to Tom Smith in the opening over.