RAIN RUINS RUN RACE

The weather finally proved the winner last Saturday as heavy rain curtailed Prestwich’s run chase against Woodhouses.

But with every other game in the Lees Lancashire County League falling foul of the stormy conditions, they maintained their 10-point cushion at the top.

Despite the gloomy skies circling the Medlock Road pitch from the start, the ground managed to escape the battering until late afternoon.

It allowed the home side to clock up a total of 209 for 7 from 48 overs, where Josh Tolley and Will Chappells were the main scorers.

Tolley was well caught by the diving Sam Holden, off the bowling of Danny Jones, for 62, and Chappells made 45 before being caught by Andy Taylor, one of Andy Bradley’s three victims.

Earlier, Taylor had dismissed both Woodhouses openers during an opening 11-over spell at a cost of 54 runs.

The abandonment came after just seven overs of the Prestwich innings. By then, openers Jones and James Wharmby were back in the pavilion with 24 runs on the board. Chappells grabbed both wickets, with Tolley taking both catches at first slip – the one to dismiss the Prestwich pro was quite exceptional.

A pivotal weekend in the championship race awaits this weekend, as Prestwich welcome Thornham to The Heys on Saturday, and then make the trip to Stretford on Sunday.