PRESTATYN avoided relegation from Liverpool and District Division One win a dramatic final-day escape.

David Harris’ side, who have occupied a relegation place for most of the campaign, turned in their best performance of the season to defeat champions Ainsdale by 80 runs at Beach Close, moving them out of the bottom two at the expense of Northop Hall, who were beaten at Highfield. The hosts made a promising start with the bat until opener Joe Horton was skittled by Joseph Lowe for 16. A superb partnership from Ryan Westwell and Daniel Williams put them back in ascendancy, with the duo making 65 and 44 respectively before they were eventually removed from the crease by Adam Friar and Malcolm Swift. The skipper then conjured his finest knock of the campaign to end the innings unbeaten on 44, and despite Sampath Perera (0) and Gareth Leonard (7) both out cheaply, the home side set a target of 190-5 declared off 55 overs of play. A stunning bowling performance from the tandem of Kieron New and overseas star Perera was enough to give Harris’ side a monumental victory, with the Indian paceman removing dangerous opener Andy Barlow for just seven early on. The impressive New then disposed of Thomas Prescott and Mark Lewis for six and nine, before Perera helped himself to the wickets of Sam Lucas (28) and Connor Windell (10) in what was a spectacular spell of bowling at either end. The in-form Darren Tyms made just 10 before he became New’s latest victim, and the bowler rounded off a fine season with figures of 4-53 after amassing 55 wickets in total for the season. Perera was not to be outdone, and made up for a disappointing batting performance with two further lower order wickets, sending Malcolm Swift and Adam Friar back to the pavilion without making a single run to end the day on 5-37 as the visitors collapsed to 110 all out.