Simm stars in Lancaster win
They had headed to Lune Road in decent form but came unstuck against hosts’ skipper Ben Simm.
Off-spinner Simm took six wickets to help guide his side to victory.
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Hide AdAfter winning the toss, Preston elected to field first and it looked a decent decision as Lancaster were 129 all out.
Abhimanyu Khod and Kieran Moffat both scored 23, Jamie Heywood adding 20.
Preston’s Saeed Bariwala took 4-23 in 5-5 overs, with Lukman Vahaluwala taking 2-44 – including the wicket of the in-form Charlie Swarbrick.
In reply, Preston were bowled out for 90, skipper Sajid Patel (29) and Rizwan Ali (34 not out) contributing the bulk of the runs.
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Hide AdSimm posted 6-21 in 16.5 overs, including eight maidens, Callum East and Swarbrick taking two each.
Leyland’s lead at the top of the table was cut after their drawn game against Fleetwood at Fox Lane.
The visitors had the better of the clash, taking home nine points.
Fleetwood batted first and put 161-7 on the board.
Patrick Ashton scored 38, Adam Parker 36, Tom Wilson 31 and Wayne Clarke 25.
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Hide AdFor Leyland, there were three wickets for Nathan McDonnell and Will Jacques took two.
Leyland lost their first three batsmen cheaply before Henry Thompson – batting at four – struck 56 off 128 deliveries.
At the close, they were 117-8, giving them three points.
Blackpool moved to within three points of Leyland after a 107-run victory at Barrow.
Asked to bat first, Blackpool were 168 all out – Stephen Twist top-scoring with 34.
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Hide AdTheir bowling attack then performed superbly, skittling Barrow out for just 61.
Andy Furniss reeled in six wickets, including the prize scalp of Kaustubh Pawar, with Joshua Boyne taking 2-15.
Morecambe were beaten by Kendal in a rain-affected game at Shap Road.
Choosing to bat first, Morecambe were 140 all out, Lewis Smith hitting 31 and Lewis Edge 27. With heavy rain in Cumbria on Saturday, the second innings was reduced to 20 overs with Kendal given a revised target of 99.
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Hide AdKendal chased successfully, Syed Ali scoring an unbeaten half-century and fellow opener Adnan Ghaus 31.
Ben Phillips joined Ali in the middle to see Kendal home.
St Annes were beaten by Netherfield at Vernon Road.
They posted156 all out, Nathan Armstrong scoring 52, but Netherfield replied with 158-5 to clinch the win – Ben Barrow hitting 40.