PRESTATYN bowed out of the Welsh Cup at the quarter-final stage following a seven-wicket loss at Cardiff.

The Beach Close side were second best throughout their encounter in South Wales, and they were set a target of 186-3 by the home side from their 28 overs at the crease.

Despite a spirited effort, the visitors fell agonisingly short of progression to the semi-final stage, losing out by just one run as they mustered 185-5 in reply.

The narrow loss rounded off a busy weekend for Gareth Boughey’s me, who secured a valuable home draw with Liverpool and District Cricket League Division One rivals Sefton Park.

A strong start to their innings saw Ryan Westwell make 36 before the duo of Peter Cassidy and Sheil Sethi took over proceedings with a stunning partnership that put on 95 for the second wicket.

Talented youngster Sethi reached his half-century before he was eventually run out by Daniel Kelly on 51, and Cassidy further enhanced his growing reputation with a dazzling 130 not out from 173 deliveries, which included no fewer than 17 boundaries.

Stand-in skipper Daniel Williams contributed 26 as the hosts posted a formidable total of 269-3 from their 55 overs in the middle.

Kieron New got right to work with the new ball and disposed of captain Richie Forsyth (7) and Jermain Davis (6) in the opening exchanges, with Cassidy also getting in on the act with the scalps of Seav Vandrome (0), Greg Harvey (0) and Paul Horton.

The outstanding New continued his relentless spell with further wickets in the form of Scott Aitchinson (13), wicketkeeper Neil Durand (0) and Kelly (27) on his way to sensational figures of 5-87, with Cassidy adding Mark Chappell (1) to his list of victims to end the day on 4-48.

This left the visitors on 118-9, but an unbeaten 41 from Rory Mcinness-Gibbons from 82 deliveries rescued a share of the spoils for Park as they made 154-9 in reply to leave the home side frustrated.

The stalemate leaves Prestatyn in sixth spot in the standings ahead of their trip to struggling Liverpool on Saturday.