PRESCOT & Odyssey Cricket Club came agonisingly close to victory at Wavertree on Saturday.

But both teams played their part in this nail-biter. Batting first, P&O got a flyer with 13 runs off the first over, Wavertree immediatley adjusted the field and tightened up but P&O still exploited the small ground early on.

With a change of bowling P&O found it increasingly difficult to score runs with too many batsmen getting a good start before losing wickets in an attempt to secure maximum batting points. Steve Edwards batting in the middle order top scored with 28, next highest for P&O was byes with 27!

The final wicket fell with the score on 147 off the final ball of the 50th over. In reply Wavertree didn't look comfortable. Dagnall picked up an early wicket which brought Wavertree' prolific professional Goel come to the crease with opener Grant Webster.

Both then survivedchances as both Cartmel and Dagnall found the edge and only for stand-in keeper Keeblefailing to complete the catches Wavertree could have been struggling on 24 -3, instead they rode their luck and managed to take the score on to 68 before another wicket fell.

McComb and Wilkinson came into the attack and frustrated the middle order, who trying to hit their way out of trouble escaped as the P&O fielders splilled seven catches. Steve Danson again showed his arm with an accurate throw to the keeper for another trademark run-out.

As the final overs approched P&O continued to pickup wickets mainly in the guise of Alan McComb who took 7- 48. With six required off the last over the Wavertree batsmen chanced their arm aided by some sloppy fielding and took the scores level with 1 ball to go and 1 run for Wavertree to win, 1 wicket for P&O to secure a tie. Despite this Dagnall 's ball was not the tightest and ! it was sent over the boundary securing victory by one wicket and sending the Wavertree crowdwild.

In thefixture at Burrows Lane P&O 2nd XI got back into winning ways. Batting first P&O composed a total of 158 - 4 off 50 overs, good scoresfrom Steve Hewitt (39), Neil Lockwood (45), Peter West (40 not out) and 17 not out from Kev Kehoe being the key. Wavetree were alway interested in victory but were bundled out by the P&O bowlers, Dave Green being the pick of the bunch with figures of 5 - 18 off 17 overs with wickets from youngsters Phil Kirk 2 -32 and James Taylor 1 - 20 and 1 a piece for Lockwood and Johnes. P&O wrapped up the victory,Wavertree all out for 136.