League leaders Prestwich kept a four-point gap over their nearest rivals – aided by the Woodbank drains taking the strain.
For the Heys side were fearful a ball may not be bowled when they set off for the Bury ground last Saturday.
Despite heavy deluges, the Woodbank pitch dried up amazingly well, benefitting from new drains.
It meant that, within an hour of the rain stopping , a 40-over contest could get under way between two sides, who face each other in the Walkden Cup Final at the end of this month.
Danny Jones made a rapid start after Prestwich lost the toss and were asked to bat.
He made 28 as the side marched to 43, but home pro Steve Dearden struck back, dismissing Jones and Steve Orrell. When Sam Holden pulled a ball straight down the throat of Haynes at square leg, Prestwich were 49 for 3 and needing to paddle out of choppy waters.
Matt Wiley took the helm with some brutish strokes, and despite the loss of skipper Steven Lorenzini for 9 with the total on 76, a prosperous stand of 88 developed between Wiley and James Wharmby.
Wiley notched up his fifth half century of the season, and struck eight fours and three sixes before being bowled by Nick Kennedy for 77.
Wharmby was excellent in support, making an intelligent 35, and some frantic running between Tom Gibson and Elliott Woodage pushed the score up to 196.
The home side made a solid start, and there were 58 runs on the board before Prestwich managed to claimed their first success, Chris Jones bowling Harry Dearden for 17.
One run later, Jones struck again and dismissed Brett Collins for 40, leaving Woodbank requiring a boost to the run rate.
Steve Dearden made clear his intentions from the outset, striking three sixes in his breezy innings of 28, but the shrewd re-introduction of Danny Jones paid off as Dearden snicked to keeper Wiley.
Wickets fell at regular intervals, although Chapman provided some fireworks with three sixes from one Danny Jones over. Brother Chris claimed Chapman’s wicket for 31, caught by Danny at gully, but the visitors were thwarted in their efforts to gain all five points as Woodbank’s last pair survived, ending on 153 for 9, 43 runs short of the target.
Chris Jones was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 45, while Danny Jones returned 3 for 59. Woodhouses also gained a four-point victory in their game with Glossop.
• On Sunday, Prestwich’s trip to Shrewsbury in the last 16 of the National Cup proved a step too far. The Birmingham Premier League champions recorded a 10-wicket victory after dismissing the Heys side for 61.
• The top two in the Lees Lancashire County League meet at The Heys on Saturday as Woodhouses are the visitors. The following day, Roe Green make the short trip for what could be a pivotal weekend in the title race.
