By Michael Latham
Monty Cottam is congratulated by Preston's Jonty McDonald |
Leyland progressed through to the semi-finals of the Furness Building Society Second Division Cup after a convincing 102 runs victory over last season's beaten finalists Preston at West Cliff.
Veteran Leyland bowler Monty Cottam was the hero, recording an incredible analysis of five for five from eight overs as the home side were bowled out for 79.
Cottam claimed the wickets of Preston captain Mohsin Patel, Dipesh Patel, Mark Jeffries, Andrew Starkie and Aber Abbas.
His mesmerising spell of deceptively slow 'on-the-spot' seam bowling was an object lesson in how to bowl in one day cricket.
Preston dangerman Aziz Shaheen survived a dropped catch at mid-wicket ironically by Cottam but was superbly caught by Ian Farrington off Chris Kelly for 15.
And Cottam atoned for his dropped catch by sticking out a hand and accepting a return catch off Mohsin Patel to spark his wicket-taking flurry.
Jonty McDonald was Preston's main hope after that but after making 22 he was caught behind by Stuart Parker off Saturday's bowling hero Stephen Cartwright.
Stuart Parker top-scored for Leyland with 47 |
Earlier in the day Leyland posted 181 for 9 thanks largely to their middle order batsmen.
Opener Nathan McDonnell batted well for 27 before he became one of Usman Alam's three victims and with the top five mustering only 42 runs between them the visitors looked in trouble.
But Parker batted sensibly for 47 and with assistance from Cartwright (25) and Laurence Shackleton (20) helped steer Leyland towards a competitive total despite a break for rain.
Leyland's Ian Farrington is caught by Aziz Shaheen |
Alam and Andrew Starkie each took three wickets for Preston. Young spinner Dipesh Patel claimed the wicket of Farrington as he bowled eight impressive overs to suggest he may soon be pressing for a first team place.
Preston captain Mohsin Patel visited hospital as a precaution after the match after taking a nasty blow in the face while fielding.
Preston dangerman Aziz Shaheen hits out |
Remaining quarter-finals next Sunday
The remaining three quarter-finals are staged next Sunday (12 July) with Carnforth entertaining Lancaster, Chorley at home to Netherfield and Fleetwood hosts to Blackpool.
Chris Dovey's Leyland side will play the winners of the Fleetwood v Blackpool tie at Fox Lane on Sunday 9 August.
The final is scheduled for Sunday 30 August.
