Leicestershire Vs. Lancashire LVCC day one.

Horton return inspires leaders Lancs.

Paul Horton's return to the Lancs team saw
him hit a confident 59 with 11 fours.

After a two-month absence from the side, Paul Horton registered a confident 59, as the Division Two leaders took control on the first day of their match at Leicestershire.

Closing on 303-5, Lancashire seized the benefits of batting first on a beautiful August day, as the leaders of the second division took on the bottom side, who are yet to win after 10 matches.

Horton was aided by youngster Luis Reece, who made the highest score of the day and indeed his Lancashire career, registering an impressive 85 before he fell to Tom Wells, who made his first-class debut today.

The Red Rose's sixth opening batting combination of the campaign proved to be tough for the hosts, as Lancashire reached a record opening stand worth 104.

Horton's half-century, which came from just 72 balls, helped the visitors to reach 100 before the lunchtime interval, but the opener was unable to add to his score after the break, falling to Alex Wyatt.

A 77-run stand between Reece and Ashwell Prince (33) then cemented Lancashire's position with the former passing fifty in 112 deliveries. When Leicestershire broke the second-wicket stand they were rewarded with the wicket of Reece, who was
bitterly disappointed not to reach three figures for the first time in his first-class career.

Now 181-3, Lancashire had suffered a minor blow, but the ever-dependable Australian, Simon Katich, added 62 to the visitors total. Achieving the fastest fifty of the day, facing just 69 balls to reach this milestone, Katich accelerated the innings to help Lancashire in their quest to return back to the first division.

After his departure, Luke Procter (37*) took responsibility, as he and Tom Smith (8*) helped the visitors to close unscathed by the Leicestershire attack.