Prestatyn remain just outside drop zone after defeat at promotion hopefuls Wigan

The Beach Close side are four points clear of second-from-bottom Fleetwood Hesketh after failing to match a strong performance with the bat from the hosts, and David Harris’ men will be hoping for better fortune when they return to home soil next Saturday against third-placed Rainford at Beach Close.

A strong opening partnership from skipper Charles Taylor and John Richardson gave the visitors a mountain to climb from the outset, with the duo putting on an outstanding 135 for the first wicket before the latter was eventually removed from the crease by Kieron Tidswell on 58.

The same bowler also ousted the dangerous Aaron Redmond for ten on his way to figures of 2-65, and things improved from a Prestatyn perspective as Joe Burrows (19) and Jake Leyland (8) also failed to significantly impact the overall score.

Taylor proved to be a far sterner proposition to remove, and the captain led by example throughout to record a score of 80 from 125 deliveries before he played a Matthew Edwards delivery into the hands of Waqar Khan.

Anthony Whittaker also aided his side’s scores with an unbeaten 23, enabling the hosts to declare on 225-5 from 50 overs in the middle.

Things got off to a disastrous start for the away side when Tidswell (1), Robbie Rimmington (0) and Khan (14), were all dismissed cheaply, and Harris managed to contribute 14 from the opening batsman position.

Gareth Leonard managed to steady the ship with a patient knock of 39 from 66 deliveries, but he was sent back to the pavilion by Avinash Yadav during a crucial stage of the innings to all-but end Prestatyn’s hopes of salvaging something from the game.

Only Edwards managed to make into double figures thereafter with a score of 18 as they were all out for 115 from 36 overs of play.

Yadav was the pick of the home bowling attack with figures of 3-49, with Richardson and Jordan Hampson claiming a pair of scalps apiece.