NORTH Leeds lifted the Ian Chappell Cup beating Collingham in a close game at Collingham on Monday.

Batting first the Roundhay side notched a challenging score of 221-6. The foundation for this score was laid by openers Chris Langford and Matthew Hall who shared a stand of 69. Hall was first out bowled by Andrew Guest for 20.

Langford went on to make a fine 82 and after losing Liam Gray and John Roberts cheaply he was partnered with Armi Kundi and this pair added 95 for the fourth wicket.

Langford was then caught by Richard Hnat off the bowling of Michael Lifford for a superb 82. Kundi also fell victim to Lifford being caught by Andrew Guest after making 66.

Lifford finished with 3-21 off four overs.

David Syers gave Collingham a solid start in reply with a good knock of 63 but his partners failed to stay with him and as Andrew Brook bit into the innings with a return of 4-39 and Dominic Gray finished with 3-53 Collingham fell 17 runs short being all out for 204 in the last over of their innings.

Two of their players were run out in the scramble for runs.

North Leeds have now won the trophy twice, their last success being in the cup's inaugural season of 1998. Collingham have lost both the finals they have appeared in - 2001 and 2003.