Tahir takes five before heading south

Imran Tahir plays last match for Moddershall

Leek were held to a draw in the Waterworld North Staffs & South Cheshire Cricket League by nearest rivals Moddershall who surprised their opponents by fielding their professional Imran Tahir even though he had signed to play for Hampshire during the week.

His registration had not cleared in time for Hampshire's championship match against Sussex so before he made his debut at Trent Bridge against Nottinghamshire in the NatWest Pro 40 game, he found time to play one more match for Moddershall at Highfield, with memorable effect.

The 29 year-old Pakistani spinner claimed five wickets as Leek faltered to 151 for nine with chairman Brian Mellor, making his first league appearance for the first XI in three seasons.

Moddershall were left with 43 overs to chase the target but despite a partnership of 48 betweeb Amer Siddique and 15 year-old Sam Kelsall, they reached 113 for seven in the allotted overs to give Leek two bonus points for the winning draw.

Audley moved to second place after a resounding eight-wicket win against Barlaston as Paul Johnson took 3-4 to restrict the bottom side to only 103 and Gareth Morris took 4-28 from 16 overs as Little Stoke beat Stafford by eight wickets.

Knypersley, who made 106 for seven from 35 overs settled for a draw against Longton in a rain-affected match. Dave Edwards (4-59) and Nathan Astle (3-50) did most the damage but in reply, Longton crashed to 27 for six before an unbeaten 44 from Pete Wilshaw helped to save the visitors from defeat.

Porthill Park remained in the bottom two after a draw against Stone and a last-wicket partnership of 30 saved Burslem from defeat against Wood Lane.