DENTON put a dent in Prestwich’s league title aspirations – with a helping hand from the rain. The Heys side found themselves losing out due to an inferior run rate when a huge downpour brought the game to a halt on Saturday with 13 overs still to play.
The mathematical equation based loosely on the Duckworth Lewis method gave Denton victory by 32 runs – and four points in their pocket.
However, the outcome did not hide the fact that the visitors had held sway for most of the game after a below-par display from the Heys side.
Denton had rattled up a total of 215 for 4 and the home side was 141 for 6 when the heavens opened to leave the ground riddled with puddles.
Much hope was resting on the shoulders of Prestwich pro Amal Dalugoda, who was still at the wicket and unbeaten on 32.
For once, the Prestwich bowling attack – minus paceman Oliver Holt – misfired, and in tandem with some lack-lustre fielding, Denton took full advantage.
Steve Wharton made 44 and Martin Leech an unbeaten 73, but their innings was given a major run-fuelled injection by youngster Patel, who blasted 67 not out in 45 balls.
Phil Kyle was the pick of the home attack with 3 for 66 off 14 overs.
However, it was the accurate medium pace of Andrew Neill who put the skids under the Heys reply, taking 4 for 44 from 19 impressive overs.
Prestwich had got off to a bright start with Steve Orrell (26) and Mike Hudson (18) staging a 53-run opening partnership, but both fell on the same score and the impetus stuttered somewhat.
With Dalugoda looking solid, Chris Humphreys made 21 and Paul Mercer chipped in with 18, but Neill was making inroads into the middle order, and giving precious few runs away, to keep his side in the driving seat.
However, a potentially tense finish was spoilt with the arrival of the rain on 142 for 6 and match officials made a hurried resort to the calculator.
* Prestwich’s season reaches a pivotal stage this weekend, with two visits to second-placed Denton St Lawrence. On Saturday, the Heys outfit need to win to keep up with the league pacesetters Denton West at the halfway stage of the season, and they return on Sunday for the semi-final of the Walkden Cup.
