PRESTATYN’s fine recent run of form came to an end thanks to a 51-run reverse at Fleetwood Hesketh.

The Liverpool and District Cricket League Division One outfit put in another encouraging display but narrowly fell short of securing the spoils, and Gareth Boughey’s men now sit in fourth spot in the standings ahead of their home clash with Newton-le-Willows on Saturday.

In-form seamer Peter Cassidy got off the mark early on when he despatched opener Neil Rimmer for eight, and he swiftly followed this up with the quick-fire wickets of Derek Sykes and Huw Summerfield for a pair of ducks during another superb spell with the new ball.

The dangerous Geeth Arachchige was caught off a Kieron New delivery after making a promising 23, whilst skipper Scott Rimmer (24) and Benich Shukla (2) became Cassidy’s latest victims to ensure the bowler ended a gruelling 17-over spell with another five-wicket haul for the loss of 75 runs.

Andrew Watts proved to be a far sterner proposition in the middle and produced a number of exceptional strokes before he was superbly run out by Cassidy just seven runs short of his century.

He was aided at the other end by Gavin Dickenson, who ended on 35, with Joe Horton taking two lower order wickets late on as the home side were all out for 223.

Dickenson made a significant impact on proceedings with the ball from the off as he removed Boughey (4), Cassidy (4), Sheil Sethi (26) and Danny Thomas (0), and he also managed to claim the prized scalp of top scorer Ryan Westwell after the opener made 67 from 86 deliveries.

David Harris made 20 before he was sent back to the pavilion by Ryan Thomas, but it was Dickenson who proved to be the difference late on and added Robbie Rimmington (21), Horton (14) and Rhys Jones (4) to his list of victims as he ended a sublime spell with figures of 8-66 as the visitors made 172 all out in reply.