LEIGH Cricket Club ended the Bank Holiday weekend with draws from matches on Saturday and Monday.

On Saturday, Northern won the toss at Beech Walk and elected to bat, and they did so for 63 overs.

After Richard Dempster, 2 for 16, removed both openers with just two runs scored, Northern were intent on defence as they scored at just one run per over for the first 25 overs.

Former Northern spinner, Michael Baer, was the pick of Leigh’s attack picking up 3 for 47 from his 12.4 overs.

With Northern eventually picking up the run rate in a late salvo, a declaration was made at 171 for 7.

In reply, Leigh received 46 overs and made every attempt to win despite being reduced to 20 for 2.

A poor start got even worse when Alex Roussak, 20, was caught behind off Cheetham and at 39 for 4 the visitors seemed confident of victory.

A partnership of 58 between Kingston, 37, and Dove gave Leigh hope but the Tasmanian’s dismissal brought about a mini collapse which meant the home side were forced to nervously play out the last few overs to secure a draw.

Leigh finished on 153 for 9 with Dove finishing unbeaten on 47 not out.Leigh travelled to Newton on Monday and were asked to bat first on an unpredictable wicket.

However, ignoring the demons in the pitch, Paul Keenan produced a destructive knock which may have left Newton’s captain questioning his decision to bowl first.

At 117 for 1, Keenan, 77 from 81 balls, and Alex Roussak, 24, were looking comfortable before both fell to soft dismissals. With balls regularly keeping low and bouncing extravagantly, the middle order found scoring hard and as wickets began to fall Leigh were indebted to handy contributions from Baldwin, 38, Dave Dempster, 14, and Baer, 15.

Leigh’s stand-in captain Roussak declared after 52.4 overs with the score on 204 for 9.

Once again Leigh were faced with an opponent reluctant to play positive cricket and were eventually left frustrated when time was called with Newton 157 for 8.

Mattie McKiernan’s fine start continued with the leg-spinner producing figures of 5 for 34 from 19 .

Kingston, Baer and Greenwood all bowled well, picking up a wicket each, but as the wicket became more sedate the home side were able to hold on for a draw.