ASTLEY and Tyldesley remain top of Division Two in the Greater Manchester Cricket League after beating Prestwich seconds by eight wickets.

The Gin Pit outfit had 44 overs to chase down 161-8 in a match affected by the rain.

Lewis Smith hit 83 for hosts Prestwich before he was bowled out by Chris Ware (2-44).

Nathan McDonnell (3-33) and Paul Bennett (3-24) also impressed with the ball.

A&T skipper Jimmy Cutt (48) put on a 117-run partnership with Dean Petrie (67 not out) for the opening wicket – an incredible effort that spanned 24 overs.

And the visitors only needed another 10 overs to seal victory.

A&T are four points clear of second-placed Droylsden – and Cutt is confident his side can keep up their good form to take the title-challenge right to the wire.

“We didn’t play particularly well on Saturday but worked it out and we ended up winning with about 10 overs to spare,” Cutt said. “If we keep this up and have everyone available then we should be able to stay near the top, I don’t see why not.

“All the teams at the top are capable of beating each other, as we have already seen, so we have to keep picking up points against them.

“It is still four teams that get promoted so we should still be in the mix come the end of the season.”

Meanwhile, Division One side Edgworth beat Worsley in a match reduced to 24 overs.

Batting first, Edgworth started well as Jamie Smith (22) and Brett Ernst (45) put on a 67-run opening partnership.

Liam Watkinson then added 29 as Edgworth posted a score of 156-6.

Worsley, who have only won twice in 13 games this season, struggled to deal with the bowling off Chris King (2-19), Michael Shore (2-25) and Guy Haynes (2-0) and they were bowled out for 110.

Egerton’s clash with Roe Green was abandoned after one over due to rain.

Results

Egerton v Roe Green, match abandoned.

Edgworth 156-6 Worsley 110-9, Edgworth won by 46 runs

Prestwich 2nd XI 161-8 Astley and Tyldesley 164-2, Astley and Tyldesley won by 8 wkts.