PRESTWICH captain Andy Bradley is aiming for revenge when his side entertain second-placed Denton West in a potential title decider on Saturday.
The Heys Road men are 15 points clear of their rivals, albeit having played a game more, but narrowly lost by two runs when the teams last met in June.
The Windsor Park outfit are the only team to have beaten leaders Prestwich in the Lancashire County League this season, and Bradley knows his side will need to be at their best if they are to win the game and the title in their final home match this weekend.
“We go into the our final home game confident as always but we have to be on our guard,” he said.
“They are not in second place for no reason. They are the only team to have beaten us this season.
“I’m expecting a tight and tense game, especially as there is so much riding on the result.
“If they win they will be back in the title race and if we win then we will have won the title with a couple of games to spare.”
If Prestwich fail to win they will have the chance to clinch the title at sixth-placed Dukinfield or third-placed Glossop in their final two games.
Tom Scott notched up his 50th wicket of the season with a four-wicket haul at Woodbank on Saturday.
Scott’s 4-10 off just 27 balls, assisted by Ryan Stanbury (3-29) and Sam Holden (3-33), helped skittle the hosts out for 99.
Second-team player Nick Carter, in as a last-minute replacement, also took two superb catches for the visitors.
With Woodbank’s top order all failing with the bat, sixth batsman Bret Collins top-scored with 35. He was supported by overseas player Andrew Van Zyl (21) and Lewis McIntosh (18).
Stanbury smashed his way to a half century as Prestwich knocked off the reply comfortably.
The South African top-scored with 55 and Ali Raza hit 18 as the visitors eased to victory for the loss of five wickets.
Woodbank’s McIntosh and Steve Dearden took two wickets each.
Prestwich’s home derby with local rivals Stand was ruined by rain on Sunday.
Having won the toss, the visitors batted first and reached 37-5, before the game was washed out.
Bradley (2-28) and Stanbury (2-34) were the best Prestwich bowlers.
“After the Walkden Cup success, the games last weekend were pretty boring in comparison,” said Bradley. “The ball was going all over the place on a difficult wicket at Woodbank but we won it comfortably in the end.
“And we were disappointed we were unable to finish against Stand, especially as Denton West managed to get their game in and won so they’ve clawed a few points back on us.”
