The 1st and 3rd team are on the cusp of league glory after a see-saw weekend in which the 2nds beat the league leaders and 4ths chalked up another impressive success.
Despite losing against Denton St Lawrence last Saturday, the 1st XI gained a valuable point which means they need just one more point from their two remaining games to clinch the GMCL Premier division title for the second consecutive year.
DSL racked up a total of 212 at The Heys, with returns of 3 for 39 for Nathan Bailey, Andy Bradley’s 3 for 57, Sam Holden 2 for 17 and Ryan Maddock 2 for 64.
After a solid start taking Prestwich to 71 for 0, openers James Wharmby (33) and Lewis Smith (17) departed on the same score and wickets then fell at regular intervals, before Tom Gibson (22 not out) and Maddock (25 not out) shared an unbeaten stand to reach 168 for 7, thus claiming a point. Mark Selby was on cue with the ball for DSL – taking 5 for 32.
The 1sts are scheduled to travel to Edgworth on Saturday knowing a point will guarantee the title or if nearest challengers Woodbank fail to claim a maximum 6-point victory.
The 2nds continued their excellent form with a tremendous fightback against table-topping Tottington St Johns after posting a below-par total of 124. Daniel Ahern top scored with 30.
Wilf Reeve championed the revival with a superb return of 5 for 54 and similarly Adam Cheshire’s 4 for 29 was crucial in seeing the home side fall nine runs short.
The 3rd XI could lift the title on Sunday after a convincing win over nearest rivals Edgworth 3rds on Sunday.
Adam Taylor struck 54 in his team’s total of 185 for 7, with good support from Ali Sherazi (32) and Matthew Cuthbert (27).
Stephen Ritchie did the damage with the ball (4 for 14) and Muhammad Arif took 2 for 6 as the visitors dwindled for 81.
Adam Taylor’s 54 helped the Third’s move 15 points clear in their division.
The 3rds face third-placed Greenfield 3rds on Sunday with a 15-point lead and victory would seal the silverware.
The 4ths had looked to be chasing a big total as hosts Swinton Moorside 3rds were strongly positioned at 88 for 2, but a haul of 5 for 11 by Ben Pinkus and 3 for 19 from Anees Arif stripped them back to 113 all out.
Opener Ellis Compton made an unbeaten 48 to guide his side to victory, aided by 21 from fellow opener from Sam Regan.
