THE match between Leigh's Thirds and Fourths had been awaited with great anticipation.

Phil Edwards, the Fourth XI captain, won the toss and asked the Third XI to bat.

The Third's had been getting off to poor starts in recent weeks but not on this occasion. Openers Steven Young and Matthew Schleiner put on 36 before Schleiner was deceived by a slower ball from Tim Edwards. The in form Paul Blackburn joined Young but the latter was soon to follow the same fate as Schleiner, being bowled by Andrew Thomason for 18.

When Nick Jones and Blackburn got together the Third XI looked as if they were going to pile on the runs but a good partnership on 88 was ended when Jones was sharply caught by Phil Edwards off the bowling of Pete Dugdale for 40. Two further wickets followed when James Eccleshare was out for nought followed by Blackburn for 48. Patel was next to go trying to force the score followed by Mattie McKiernan without scoring.

At 151 for 7 and in the 43rd over the Third XI just needed a final push to reach a defendable total. This was achieved when Pete Taylor and Michael Eccles put on a quick 28 before Taylor was run out. Ross Shepherd, in at number ten, helped Eccles to a total of 187 for 9 declared.

Pete Dugdale and Chris Waywell bowled 26 overs between them giving little away and taking five of the nine wickets to fall.

The Fourth XI opened with Dave Grayson and Kieran Grundy who both did well by putting on 28 before the loss of Grundy to Steven Young. Matthew Savka was looking for a long stay at the crease but after some good looking shots was outdone by the spin of James Eccleshare who had him caught neatly at short leg by Nick Jones.

Bradley Houghton was also looking determined to hang around until he misjudged a straight ball from Michael Eccles.

Gavin Brennan made a purposeful contribution by taking the attack to the Third XI bowlers but he tried one big shot too many and was bowled by Eccleshare. After Dave Grayson was out Matthew Hibbert and Phil Edwards showed some dogged determination and held up the Third XI's progress by putting together a partnership of 21 before Hibbert was smartly stumped by Michael Waywell.

However, the Fourth's determination didn't waver as Andrew Thomason and Phil Edwards buckled down to the task of saving the game.

Captain Pete Taylor tried various combinations of bowlers in an attempt to pick up the last three wickets and it was Michael Eccles who made the breakthrough getting Andrew Thomason lbw. Chris Waywell joined Edwards to see out the remaining overs and did well to withstand everything the Third XI threw at them.