PRESTON pulled clear of the foot of the league after participating in a pulsating encounter against Kindly, winning by just three runs.

Kindly found themselves with a batting order of 10 after Paul Fearnyough was called into work during the Preston innings. Although George Barnfather became subsitute fielder, he wasn't allowed to bat or bowl.

Preston captain Manoj Parekh's decision to bat first seem to have backfired when Preston found themselves struggling at 5-2.

But confident strokes from Antony Mann and Zubaire Patel helped redress the balance and Preston progessed to 54 before half the side were dismissed.

The tail end played well, enabling Preston to close at 140-9.

Kendal seemed to make a better start with 24 runs being put on before Andrew Mawson was bowled by Patel. Steven Cooper and Terry Hunte took the score to 57, and the score stood at 86 with half of the team gone.

Preston's victory was held up by a ninth wicket partnership of 21 between Richard Ellwood and Michael Healey.

Final result: Kendal 137 Preston 140-9.

On Saturday, Preston travel to St Annes and on Monday they play hosts to league leaders Darwen at West Cliff.

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