LEIGH captain Joe Sexton was keen to remain positive despite seeing his side frustrated by Westcliff’s batsmen in a top-of-the-table Division Three derby.

The visitors registered a daunting target of 254 for league leaders Westcliff to triumph at Chalkwell Park, but Westcliff were content with keeping their unbeaten start to the campaign intact by registering a draw.

And Sexton was keen to praise Dean Waller and Matt Wagstaff, who added 72 and 67 runs to the total respectively.

The Leigh skipper said: “I had very mixed feelings after the game.

“We set the tone from ball one and that seemed to be the case throughout the match.

“I thought our batsmen did a particularly good job getting to 253, with Matt Wagstaff and Dean Waller batting brilliantly.

“Dean has looked very solid in the past few weeks, so we hope this continues.

“Our bowlers did a great job hanging in there considering it’s a very tough task getting batsmen out when they don’t want to score runs.

“Overall, I think that the Leigh boys were outstanding and Westcliff showed us that they were more concerned about not losing than actually winning, which is very pleasing from our point of view.”

Waller continued his fine start to the campaign by striking 72 runs off just 55 balls.

The Leigh batsman also hit six maximums to ensure his side were in the ascendancy, while Wagstaff recorded 11 boundaries as he reached 67 before being dismissed.

Leigh, who went into the derby in the promotion places, were all out for 253.

Tom Baker was Westcliff’s most potent bowler as he registered bowling figures of 3-45.

Leigh had their eyes set on victory as Sexton sent Westcliff opening batsman Lewis Wright back to the pavilion for a duck.

Although fellow opener Charlie Lockhart was out for 25, Westcliff skipper Peter Barnes ensured his side would not be defeated as he struck an unbeaten 63.

Matt Renvoize was also not out for 37 and Barnes admitted he was relieved to avoid defeat.

Barnes said: “Leigh batted well on a tricky surface. We probably should have had them all out for 180, but Dean Waller and Matt Wagstaff batted well and got them up to a good total.

“Losing Lewis Wright early wasn’t ideal and myself and Charlie Lockhart were ticking the scoring along nicely.

“Lockhart was then out to a good delivery from Adam Rendall and they bowled well for the next 10 overs.

“It was then clear that we weren’t going to reach the target and it’s important in the timed format to not give the opposition full points.

“We are really happy to go into the 50-over format still top of the league.”