DENTON HOLD ON

The start of July saw the clash of the top two teams at Egerton Street. Only captain Steve Orrell (33) and vice-captain Steven Lorenzini (20) came to terms with Andrew Neill’s bowling (6-59) as Prestwich were dismissed for 125, but when Denton were on 48-6, the visitors were in the driving seat. Chris Humphreys took 5-51 but 28 from Tim Standing and unbeaten knocks by Imran Mirza (41) and Andrew Leech (20) saw Denton to a three wicket win.

Dukinfield moved up two places to second by beating D.S.L. at Sycamore Park. They had pro Andrew Gleave (94) to thank for a total of 226-6d (Dave Morrell 3-61) and then Mark Stringer followed his 36 with 4-20 as D.S.L. were bowled out for 201. Paul Turner also took four wickets (for 56) and Matthew Wake’s 42 was the best for the Saints.

Woodhouses dropped to fourth when they lost at Roe Green. John Seeary scored 69 not out and James Clarke 41 in Woodhouses 208-5d but 86 by Paul Green and 41 from Craig Budgen gave the home side a five wicket win (Seeary 4-48).

Stand recorded yet another win when they scored 177 against West and then Carl Sutcliffe (5-30) and Jack Ritchie (3-20) bowled them out for 109 (Andy O’Brien 32).

Woodbank’s home game against Flowery Field resulted in a comprehensive victory. Sajid Shah (63), Damien Stringer (51) and Dave McCheyne (41) all contributed to Woodbank’s 190-5d and then 5-41 by Shah and 4-27 by Z. Qureshi saw Flowery collapse to 34-8 before 32 from Stephen Chambers at number ten took them to 70 all out.

Thornham scored 150 at home to Irlam despite Manny Khan’s 6-60, but 66 from Saj Ahmed gave Irlam a seven wicket win.

Glossop kept Cheetham Hill rooted at the foot of the table when they scored 282-5d and then dismissed Hill for 199. Bhatiya Perera (89) and John Stopford (72) put on 146 for the fourth wicket followed by an unbeaten 46 from skipper Adam Wilson. Vilas Kutty scored 96 for Hill but Matt Woodcock took 4-28 as Glossop bowled them out.