LEIGH Cricket Club's tough start to the season against arch rivals Bootle resulted in an agonisingly narrow defeat in a game which followed a similar pattern to last year's critical league defeat against the same opposition.

After a see-saw game, Leigh lost by one run in the final over after having set up a winning position.

They now have a lot to do to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Liverpool Competition Premier League Knockout Trophy.

A fierce opening spell from Ronnie Davis saw him remove visiting skipper Ian Cockbain for a duck and ex Lancashire star Graham Lloyd for four but former Bolton League professional John Hitchmough came to the rescue with 64 to take his side to 214-8.

Leigh's innings was given a good start by Andy Batterley (20) and Steven Mullaney (30), who took the score to 48. The score had reached 78 off 17 overs when Tim Rees was adjudged lbw but Heath Pedrola and Gareth Cross took the score to 135.

Once they were out Leigh needed 36 to win with 11 overs but lower order batsmen failed to establish themselves and victory was gone.