LEIGH CC cruised into the Regional Final of the National Knockout Competition as they demolished Bolton League side Walkden by 77 runs on Sunday.

Batting first, Leigh got off to a steady start before Andy Batterley was dismissed for 21 with 30 on the board.

The backbone of Leigh's innings came with a tremendous second wicket partnership of 116 between Tim McKiernan and Andy Mullaney.

McKiernan played a vital anchor role with 43 from 93 balls, but it was Mullaney who provided the highlight with a magnificent innings of 88 which amazingly came from just 68 balls faced.

Character

After the dismissal of this pair, Leigh failed to capitalise on the position which had been set up. Only Ronnie Davis, who was out to the last ball of the innings for 24, made any impression late on as Walkden showed some character.

John Smith bowled well, taking 3-39, but it was Dave Smith, bowling the final nine overs from one end who was particularly impressive with figures of 5-21 as Leigh's innings closed on 199 all out.

In reply, Davis was his usual economical self, but it was his opening bowling partner Colin Smith who did the damage by removing both openers. This soon became 20-3 and Leigh were in the driving seat.

Despite a defiant 30 from Parkinson and 25 from John Smith, Walkden were never really able to threaten Leigh's score, particularly because of excellent bowling with Chris Melia claiming 3-18, Dave Potter 2-24, Davis 1-9 and Smith 3-28 as Walkden's innings closed at 122.

The previous day Leigh's inconsistent league form had continued with a disappointing defeat against Ormskirk.

Batting first, Ormskirk made slow progress against Sikander and Davis and wickets soon began to fall. Ormskirk's upper order were indebted to David Snellgrove who made a patient 50 but when he was well held by Batterley off the bowling of Sikander at silly point, Leigh were in the driving seat.

Leigh's spin twins of Sikander and Melia maintained the pressure but were foiled by a sixth wicket partnership of 78 as Ormskirk slowly dragged themselves back into the game.

With 50 overs gone Ormskirk felt the need to bat on, eventually taking 58 overs to reach a declaration at tea with the score on 179-9. Melia finished with figures of 1-6 but it was Sikander who proved to be Leigh's most effective bowler with figures of 6-74.

Leigh's expectations of challenging the total were dashed in a disastrous opening hour as they were reduced to 20-7, which included a hat-trick.

Respectability was now the only objective and this was provided by some stubborn resistance from Smith and Sikander who occupied the crease for 90 minutes and added a half century partnership. As Ormskirk entered the final hour, Leigh's hopes of a draw were raised but when Smith was out lbw, the end was in sight.

Despite a valiant effort from Eccles and Melia, Leigh could not hold on, leaving Sikander stranded at the other end unbeaten on 37.

81 all out was the sum total of Leigh's efforts with four bonus points hardly providing any comfort.

Leigh's weekend fixtures start tonight (Friday) when they entertain Bootle at Beech Walk in the Liverpool Echo 20 over KO competition. Wickets are pitched at 6pm.

Leigh are also at home tomorrow when they play New Brighton in the league, wickets pitched 1pm, and complete a trio of home games on Sunday when Wythenshaw are the visitors in the second round of the Lancashire Knockout, wickets pitched 1.30pm.