Young guns play lead role to keep Leek on title course

LEEK'S crop of talented young batsmen came to the fore to maintain the Highfield outfit's promotion drive.

Alex Mellor, Joel Bayley and Oliver Mellor top-scored on a bowler friendly wicket to post a decent target of 167.

And despite conditions easing for the Oulton batsmen, Leek produced an "outstanding" bowling and fielding display to bag a maximum 25 points and extend their lead at the summit to 49.

"We lost the toss and were thrown on to a wicket that had been heavily covered and made for very difficult conditions," said Leek skipper Brian Mellor.

"But our really young development players top scored, which was a massive boost. Obviously, the wicket then flattened out.

"We had to work hard but our bowling and fielding was outstanding – a very, very pleasing performance."

Leek lost Robert Haydon (1) early on and, with 24 overs down, had struggled up to 58-4. Alex Mellor was fourth man out after grafting away for his 37 off 77 balls.

A lively 29 from Joel Bayley, plus 25 from Greg Willott and an unbeaten 28 from Mellor then enabled Leek to post 167 from their 53 overs.

The relatively low score still gave Leek a total to defend on a pitch taking spin and offering help for the seamers.

After the break, Willott failed to make the breakthrough as Oulton's openers maintained the required scoring rate.

But Mo Hussain then sparked the victory charge by removing opener Myles Coughlan (26).

Leek's in-form professional ended with 6-63 from his 24 overs while it was Hussain and Colin Dearden (3-19), who tempted the opposition to hit the ball in the air.

Ollie Mellor stood out in the field, taking four catches including a superb backward diving one-handed effort to dismiss Oulton skipper Harish Patel (34) off Paul Hammersley.

Hammersley ended Oulton's hopes when he bowled Mark Bates (10) to leave the away side on a woeful 121.

Back in the clubhouse, Leek's celebrations increased in volume with the news that nearest rivals Meir Heath had taken only five points against Norton.

Saturday's 46-run victory also made it eight games unbeaten for the Highfield side.

"The reason for that run is that we have improved in every department of our game throughout the season," added Leek's captain.

This weekend, Leek host Moorlands rivals Cheadle. And despite their stuttering form, Mellor will not be taking the Talbot Cup finalists lightly.

He added: "I think Cheadle are a very good side. They've not really pushed on after a great start and will be disappointed not to be in the top two or three.

"But there's 200 points to play for and there's no reason why they can't be up there."