TWO centuries from Pat Leach and skipper Sion Morris guided Colwyn Bay to an 83-run home win over Highfield.

A much-improved display with the bat was matched by their performance in the field in what was an impressive display from the Liverpool and District Cricket League Premier Division side, who sit in seventh spot ahead of their trip to table-topping Formby on Saturday.

Despite losing opener Zack Gidlow early on when he was caught off a Rob Halliwell delivery on 23, the duo of Morris and Leach put on 103 for the second wicket to put them in the ascendancy.

Leach produced a number of eye-catching strokes before he was skittled by Matty Johnson after making a superb 104, while Morris led by example to end the day unbeaten on 100.

Another double figure score came from overseas star Dineth Hewathanthree, who contributed 36 as the home side declared on 287-3 from their 47 overs at the crease.

Bay bowler Ryan Holtby wasted no time in making a huge impact with the new ball, taking out the opening pair of captain James Taylor and Ryan Hargreaves for a duck and four respectively.

The away side regrouped and ensured a nervy end to proceedings thanks to impressive stands from Owais Shah and Darshan Misal, with the former run out by Adam Campion at a crucial stage of the innings after making 94.

Misal was stumped off an Adam Campion delivery after producing a 57 knock, and the same bowler also disposed of Martyn Jenks (2) and Sohaib Shah (4) on his way to figures of 3-79.

Veteran spinner Paul Jenkins got in on the act soon after and helped himself to three wickets for the loss of 3-58, while Holtby took another scalp in the form of Tom Ashton (24) to conclude his spell on 3-28 as the visitors made 204 all out in reply.

Bay’s second unit achieved a six-wicket triumph at Old Xaverians thanks to half centuries from Mike Littler (57) and Sean McDonagh (51).