Seven is proving a lucky number for Prestwich after they claimed a place in the Walkden Cup semi-final following a nail-biting finish at Cheetham Hill.
Their slender seven-run triumph was a repeat of the winning margin in their last league game over Woodhouses.
The Heys side again had to dig deep for victory after posting a total of 162 against their near-neighbours.
The pitch at Catherine Road last Sunday had done well to recover from the recent deluges, but it made fluent stroke-making hard to come by, as Prestwich found out batting first.
Danny Jones struck a six over deep mid-wicket and looked in good form until he was caught on the drive by Modi Ali for 32.
James Wharmby made 12 before he was the second man out with the score on 51, leaving Matthew Wiley and Sam Holden to knuckle down and steadily build a partnership beyond the 50-run mark.
Flambuoyance was kept to a minimum as the Hill attack bowled tightly, but Holden did break free from the shackles with a towering six over deep mid-wicket.
However, he was bowled by Saj Ahmed for 22, and then Wiley’s rash slash saw the ball loop up to Mirza to end his otherwise patient innings of 36.
With overs running out, it proved hard work for the remaining batsmen as they sought quick runs, only Chris Thomas reaching double figures, but they scratched round enough to take the side past the 150-mark, judged to a competitive total.
In reply, Tufail made a rapid start with a six and four in the first over, but Jones got his revenge with the last ball of his over, snicking the delivery to wicketkeeper Wiley.
Hill batsmen again found application was key as they had to ground out the runs.
Holden was introduced, taking two wickets in his first two overs, to reduce the home side to 33 for 3.
Tom Gibson then put together a superb spell, his initial seven overs conceding just 12 runs.
With frequent bowling changes made by skipper Steven Lorenzini, the home batsmen could not rest easy, and they lost two more wickets with the score on 60, Andy Bradley claiming the wickets of Ali for 19 and Saleem for 0.
Prestwich looked to have the upper hand but a stand of 33 again changed the game’s complexion before Bradley claimed his third wicket and finishing with 3 for 25 off his 10-over allotment.
Another mini-stand of 28 between Anwar and Abbas took the score to 121 before Abbas agonisingly played onto his stumps off the re-introduced Jones.
Jones, who returned figures of 3 for 22, then had mainstay Anwar caught for 39 by Wiley to send the score to 122 for 8.
But Hill were not lying down, and Magsood and Mirza staged a 32-run partnership, taking them to the brink of victory.
With two overs left, 11 runs had been required, but some adept fielding from Gibson resulted in the run out of Mirza for 15, and Holden (3 for 41) clinched victory when Jones caught Imran Rather two balls later.
Despite ending wicketless, Gibson’s commendable return of 0 for 25 and Andy Taylor’s 0 for 22 in their 10-over spells, proved equally important to the outcome.
The Heys men now face a repeat of last year’s semi-final – at home to Glossop, who also lie in second place in the Lees Lancashire County League, one point behind Prestwich.
* Saturday’s league game ended in an abandonment, although visitors Stretford had made a rattling good start, reaching 91 for 0 in just 18 overs, with pro Ray Van Schoor unbeaten on 52.
* Prestwich 2nd XI were one of the few teams to complete a game on Saturday, emerging with a victory against Stretford – David Smith claiming a seven-wicket haul and Elliot Woodage hitting a half century.
