PRESTON have one hand on the championship trophy after this comfortable victory.

With their nearest rivals Bowdon also winning, the scene is set for a potential title clinching fixture against Bebington this weekend,writes Richard Sullivan..

This win was achieved to a masterful first half performance by Preston. It took only five minutes for the league leaders to break the deadlock as Adam Wilson took advantage of some benevolent defending to send Jim Blackburn through on goal.

Blackburn cushioned the through ball perfectly before drawing the keeper off his line and sliding the ball into the corner.

Moments later Nick Sutcliffe continued his goalscoring run following a cleverly executed short corner routine. Collecting the ball on the right from a square pass by Richard Sullivan, the burly winger rattled the backboard with a powerful drive beyond the outstretched leg of the goalkeeper.

This was the platform for Preston's best hockey as Philip Bowman and Sam Sinclair combined with exhilirating effect down the right side of midfield.

Time and again, the little and large duo exchanged passes to open up a bewildered home defence. But each time Preston looked like extending their lead, the Timperley goalkeeper was there to foil them.

A third goal came deep into the second half. It was a carbon copy of the second as Sutcliffe, from an acute angle, drove home his fifth goal of the season.

Preston know just 70 more minutes of hockey remains before they can place both hands on that coveted trophy.

Timperley II 0 Preston 3