PRESTWICH kept on the tails of runaway leaders Denton in the Lees Lancashire County League with a 72-run defeat of rivals Roe Green.

And Imran Mirza, following on from his match-winning 93 the previous week, starred with the ball as well as the bat this time.

The youngster smashed 53 in just 31 balls to rocket the score past the 200-mark; he then followed up with a devastating 6-26 spell, including the wicket of opposing kingpin, Paul Green.

A seaming, bouncy wicket did not make batting particularly easy, and Prestwich had reached a circumspect 70-1 at the halfway stage.

The wicket to fall was that of fit again Prestwich pro Craig Duxbury, who looked in excellent trim, striking a confident 28 out of 32 before he was trapped in front off the bowling of Boustead.

Both Steve Davies and Ian Walker stepped on the gas after the drinks interval, although both rode their luck. Davies doggedly sticking to the task and scoring a valuable 67 while Walker was superbly caught by Wright for 43 on the square leg boundary.

It was then that Mirza made light of the conditions, playing a series of extravagant strokes to reach his half century in just 29 balls, with four sixes and four fours.

Steven Lorenzini chipped in with an unbeaten 12 in the late flurry as the Heys lads set a formidable total of 216.

Oliver Holt, opening the bowling in place of the unavailable Andy Bradley, struck the first blow, pinning Cullen in front.

Chris Humphreys then found the edge of Higsons bat and Davies took a straightforward catch at second slip, and both openers were back in the pavilion with just 10 on the scoreboard. Simon Davies followed shortly, another victim for Humphreys, and the first of three catches for Walker behind the stumps.

But at 23 for 3, a sturdy partnership of 83 in quickfire time between pro Green and Cottrell put the cat amongst the Prestwich pigeons.

The visitors were ahead of the run rate as Prestwichs bowling was not up to scratch and Green took full advantage, racing to his 50 in 44 balls, and looking as if the pitch held no fears for him.

The introduction of Mirza paid off in his first over when Richard Steadman took a well-judged catch on the square leg boundary to dismiss Cottrell for a plucky 31.

Green then began to lose partners, Pete Walters with his left arm spin bowling Dunning. But whilst Green was at the wicket, his team were in with a definite shout.

However, Mirza proved his undoing as Green tried to drive a full-length delivery and played it onto his stumps for a classy 83, struck in only 81 balls.