COLWYN Bay slipped closer to the Liverpool and District Cricket League Premier Division drop zone after a narrow two-wicket reverse at Leigh.

Sion Morris’ side were unable to claim a much-needed victory on their travels despite a spirited display, and they are now 12 points clear of safety ahead of their home clash with league leading Ormskirk on Saturday.

Toby Bulcock got the hosts off to a flyer with the new ball by taking our opener Dimeth Hewathanthree for 16, and this was swiftly followed by the quick-fire wickets of Mike Littler (0), George Johansen (1) and Adam Campion (0) during a devastating spell early on.

Zack Gidlow was a stern presence at the crease for the majority of the innings, but he was despatched by Ryan Housley during a crucial stage after the batsman made a stubborn 68 from 135 deliveries.

Another notable contribution came from Tom Roberts, who was run out by Adam Shallcross after contributing 28, before Bulcock took over proceedings and decimated the lower order with the scalps of Ryan Holtby (0), Gareth Goodson (6) and the outstanding Paul Jenkins (44) on his way to figures of 7-90 as the visitors made 191 all out.

Bay’s run defence began well when Holtby removed Ross Zelem for a duck, but the scoreboard kept ticking over thanks to promising double-figure scores from Hedley Molyneux (29), Lewis Pearson (31), skipper Thomas Foster (31) and Shallcross (23), although none went on to post a big total.

Bulcok was unable to replicate his form with the bat and made just ten before he was despatched by Adam Campion, but a score of 31 from as many deliveries from Finnegan Hulbert was enough to get the home side over the line after 44 overs in the middle.