LEIGH CC capped a final first season in the Leigh Pub Cricket League by becoming the first side to beat the Three Crowns in FOUR years.

After losing the toss and been forced to bat, Leigh were the clear underdogs.

Mark Hudsmith wasted no time in playing himself in, hitting the first and third balls for two. A quick single followed and then his brother's wicket. Jimmy McNally didn't follow with his usual batting and was out for one.The skipper was out next pushing a shot to slip Dave Unsworth.

Andy Stewart and Paul Ralphs steadied the boat for a while, scoring vital runs. But when required the tail was always going to wag! Emporer King and Quinster put on 35 runs to make Leigh 117 for 9.

Ricky "The Hitman" Howarth opened the bowling with a wicket from his second ball. He was backed up by Raz Riley with a telling catch from Mark Hudsmith and the Three Crowns had a game on their hands being 2-4. Tight bowling and sharp fielding left the Crowns a big ask needing 80 of the last 10 overs having only scored 38. Leigh's bowling attack was belligerent like, whilst the fielding was brutal with three quality run outs, the best from the skipper Tony Atkin.

Chris Summerscale put on some resistance, knocking some good shots, but when Mark Hudsmith bowled him the trophy was as good as Leigh's. The Three Crowns were just short of Leigh's total thanks to an all round bowling and fielding perfomance.

A great season for Leigh in their first year, second in the league, winners of the senior cup, first and second in the six a side and also hitting more than 200 runs in 20 overs against Manchester Road Inn, the highest total of the year.