ASTLEY and Tyldesley maintained their six-point gap at the top of Greater Manchester League Division Two.

The Gin Pit outfit brushed aside relegation-threatened Wythenshawe to win by 44 runs in a match reduced to 39 overs due to rain.

But the win was not straightforward for the hosts, who lost five early wickets for 38 runs.

Lewis Crowther (4-31) impressed with the ball but a late show of resistance from Nathan McDonnell (30) and Adam Lynch (38 not out) boosted the score up to 126-7.

Visiting skipper Charlie Comyn-Platt hit an unbeaten 46 when he opened the reply but only Paul Burrell (13) managed to join him on double figures as McDonnell (7-45) and Jimmy Cutt (3-26) tore through the batting line-up to dismiss Wythenshawe for 82.

There was no change at the top of the Division Two table after second-placed Thornham and Swinton Moorside, in third, also won.

Elsewhere, Egerton missed an opportunity to climb out of the Premier Division relegation zone after losing at home to fellow strugglers Denton West, who leapfrogged them in the table.

The match was reduced to 20 overs due to rain but that did not dampen Denton West’s spirits.

Luke Melling got the runs rolling for the visitors with an opening knock of 28 before John Barnett (37no) and Michael Shum (33no) put on a 76-run partnership for the sixth wicket to help them close on 146-5.

Matt Parkinson was the pick of the Egerton bowlers with 3-36.

Mahela Udawatte starred with the bat in reply, scoring 54 from 38 balls, but he had little support as Egerton slumped to 101 all out.

The wickets were shared between Stephen Oddy (2-21), Melling (2-34), Semila Seyibokwe (2-16) and Hamish Dunlop (3-26).

The defeat means Egerton are third-bottom, four points from safety with three matches remaining.

Edgworth’s Division One clash at home to promotion rivals Heywood was abandoned without play.

Results

Egerton 101, Denton West 146-5, Denton West won by 45 runs.

Edgworth v Heywood, match abandoned.

Astley and Tyldesley 126-7 Wythenshawe 82, Astley and Tyldesley won by 44 runs.