LITTLE Lever won a thrilling table-topping clash with Astley Bridge by one wicket on Saturday, and it needed an edge through slip from last man Stephen Evans to seal it.

Josh Gent’s side chased 229 at Victory Road to win by one wicket with 3.2 overs remaining, securing a four-point lead over their now second-placed rivals.

In reply to Bridge’s 228-9, they lost wickets regularly from 148-3 to increase tensions. When Evans strode to the crease, they needed two to win, and he subsequently nicked Dave Cryer to the third-man fence to seal a seventh win from nine.

“I wasn’t nervous in terms of the game situation, but I was for our number 11, Ste Evans, because Dave Cryer had come back on and bowled really well,” said Gent.

“If Dave had bowled him first ball, we’d have lost by one, and I didn’t want him feeling bad because we win and lose as a team. But he edged it straight between keeper and slip!

“It was a fantastic game. I’d probably say it was one of the best games I’ve played in.”

Astley Bridge posted 228-9 thanks to Millen Patel’s 54 and 56 from Sri Lankan pro Denuwan Dadallage. For Little Lever, new ball duo Curtis Anderton (2-71 from 18 overs) and overseas amateur Ruan Van De Merwe (3-63 from 12) stood out.

In reply, the hosts fell from 119-2 to 220-7 and then 227-9. Bridge captain Cryer recovered from an expensive first spell with the new ball to claim 4-69 from 11.4.

“They chose to bat on a really good track,” said Gent. “But I was going to bowl because I knew whatever they got we’d chase. We’ve won every game chasing.

“I had the same feeling when we got bowled out for 90 at Darcy Lever, I knew that would be enough. You have to have that attitude. You won’t win every game, but this was a big one.

“Astley Bridge are a very good side, and come the end of the season they’ll be one, two or three with us, Adlington and maybe Golborne. They’re going well.

“We bowled all right, but I didn’t think we fielded particularly well. We dropped two catches which cost us 70. But we batted well, with Ayaz [Hanif, who scored 53 at number three] playing a knock that has probably won us the game.

“We have some firepower. If we bat 50 overs, I think we’ll beat anyone in this league.”

There was one sore point for Little Lever, with pro Adil Nisar, who batted with a runner for 39 after picking up a calf injury in the field, expected to miss the next fortnight.

With the Peter Stafford Trophy looming, he should return on July 14 when Little Lever host fourth-placed Adlington, who are six points behind.

“If we beat them, we can create a bit of a gap alongside Bridge,” added Gent.

“Hand on heart, I do hope it’s Bridge and ourselves that go up because I like them as a club and a unit, I like Dave Cryer, and they’re a great set of lads. They play just as we do – they play hard.”