Leyland eye title after Fleetwood smack

Leyland's lead at the top of the Furness Building Society Northern Premier Cricket League (incorporating Readers Cricket Balls) was cut by three points by chasers Barrow and St Annes despite an emphatic win over Fleetwood.

David Makinson's side dismissed Fleetwood for just 59 in 37.1 overs at Broadwater, left-arm opening bowler Luis Reece taking 5-29 and South African professional Brett Pelser 4-22.

Only three home batsmen reached double figures as Leyland avenged their recent Readers Cup defeat at Fleetwood's hands. Reece was then the only Leyland batsman to be dismissed as Chris Parkinson and Henry Thompson steered their side home to an early finish in 15.5 overs.

But Leyland, who had won the toss and elected to field earned only 12 points for a win batting second while Barrow and St Annes had maximum 15 point wins for batting first.

In-form Barrow openers Jonathan Miles (46) and Greg Platten (43) led the way with a stand of 99 against Morecambe at Ernest Pass that formed the basis of their 177 for 9. Morecambe fought back well in the field, pro Mandla Mashimbyi taking four for 74 and skipper Tommy Clough three for 22 in 13 overs as Barrow lost nine wickets for 78 runs.

Barrow pro Pasan Wanasinghe, back after attending his mother's funeral in Sri Lanka and skipper Daryl Wearing then tore into Morecambe's batting, each taking four wickets as the visitors were dismissed for 112. Mashimbyi provided the main resistance with an unbeaten 33 off 67 balls.

Defending champions St Annes had Sri Lankan spin ace Dinuka Hettiarachchi to thank once again for their 76 runs victory over Carnforth at Vernon Road. The St Annes pro collected his 12th five wicket haul of the summer and ended with seven for 26 as Carnforth were dismissed for 94 in a rain-reduced game.

Ben Dowling defied illness to take two wickets in as many balls and teenager Mitch Bolus, called up into the side for his debut after Nick Jones was taken ill, responded with the wicket of Tom Barnfield who was well caught by skipper Andy Kellett.

Hettiarachchi stole the show with a brilliant display of the craft of the left arm spinner, varying his pace, trajectory and flight to telling effect and taking the crucial wicket of opposing pro Gareth Pedder, caught and bowled for 28.

After overnight rain reduced the contest to one of 40 overs per side Kellett and Atiq Uz-Zaman opened with a stand of 64 before St Annes lost three quick wickets for two runs. Russ Bradley's superb undefeated 54 off 67 balls enabled Kellett to declare after 38 overs on 170 for 5. Adam Hornby captained Carnforth with Darren Moore suffering from 'flu.

Lancaster continued where they left off when they had the better of a draw at Leyland by defeating in-form Darwen by two wickets in a low-scoring game at Lune Road. The home side's Sri Lankan pro Roy Silva defied a hamstring injury to return seven for 23 as Darwen were dismissed for just 76.

Off-spinner Ben Simm took the other three wickets as Darwen pro Mohammad Zaman Khan top scored with 35. Despite Chris Wade and Khan each taking three wickets Lancaster just got over the finishing line in a tense finish, Silva making 28.

Rain frustrated Kendal's victory bid against Blackpool at Shap Road. After Terry Hunte continued his fine recent form with 50 from 66 balls in his side's 148 for 8, Richard Gleeson taking four for 59, rain then lopped off six overs from the visitors' reply.

Hunte, who batted with a fluency that was denied to any one else and Kevin Howarth (35) added 85 for the fourth wicket. Cumberland county off-spinner Chris Miller took seven for 52 from 18 overs but skipper Paul Danson steered his side to safety with an unbeaten 21 off 37 balls at 125 for 8 after opener John Mounsey hit 53 off 130 balls.

There was no play in the game between Preston and Netherfield at West Cliff. Netherfield and Lancaster have each suffered five abandonments this season with a total of 19 games falling foul of the weather.

Leyland (played 19-218) have a 28-point lead over Barrow (19-190) with six games to play. St Annes (19-187) are still in contention but Darwen (19-162) have slipped behind. Blackpool (19-145) are in fifth but Lancaster (20-139) have overtaken Morecambe (19-130) into sixth place.