EGERTON showed the ultimate composure to secure a final-over victory at home to Premier Division leaders Prestwich.

Kasun Ranasinghe top scored with 28 for the Blackburn Road side but superb bowling from Prestwich skipper Andrew Bradley (4-39) saw them dismissed for 169.

Opener James Wharmby set the standard in reply with a knock of 41 before Sam Holden added 54.

But Egerton have an armoury of talented bowlers, not least Adam Street, whose five-wicket haul for 42 runs drove the game right to the wire.

Needing two runs to win in the final over with two wickets in hand, Prestwich lost Wilf Reeve first ball to the bowling of Amal Dalugoda before last-man Bradley was run out with three balls left to spark wild celebrations in the Egerton camp.

The win moves Egerton up to second in the table, and skipper Will Halton explained his relief at the victory.

“It was one of the closest game I've ever played in,” he said. “We knew Prestwich have been very dominant this season and if we got a couple of early wickets then we could put some pressure on those lads further down the line.

“It was very tense. When the final wicket fell it was a massive relief and there were big celebrations from our lads.

“We have now shown that we are capable of beating anybody.”

Egerton face Prestwich in the return fixture on the final day of the season in a game which may well be a title-decider.

Meanwhile, Edgworth picked up their second win of the season at home to Bury.

Simon Lord (63), Liam Watkinson (88) and skipper Guy Haynes (36) all scored high as Edgworth posted 275-9.

Josh Fallows (3-38) spearheaded the bowling attack as 10-man Bury were stumped on 191-8 – 84 runs short of the target.

In the First Divison, Astley and Tyldesley recorded a 10-wicket win against Whalley Range.

Results

Premier Division 

Edgworth 275-9, Bury 191-8. Edgworth won by 84 runs.

Egerton 169, Prestwich 168. Egerton won by one run.