PRESCOT & Odyssey are struggling to regain that winning streak.

At Parkfield they failed to take advantage of a match-winning situation and had to settle for a draw.

Requiring just seven runs from the final two overs with six wickets in hand they somehow succeeded in scoring only one run and losing four wickets.

Parkfield were asked to bat first on a track that offered nothing to the bowlers apart from a low bounce. However, it seemed that P&O were having the better of the early exchanges when they had Parkfield 80-5. However, the home side put together a fightback and put P&O's later bowling to the sword with some adventurous and confident shots. They eventually declared on 188-9.

P&O knew there was time aplenty to reach the target but wanted to make a solid start. Unfortunately Andy Murphy was bowled for six, soon followed by fellow-opener Andy Greenwood with a swift 21 with the score on 33.

Alan McComb and Simon Ramsden then took complete control of the bowling and propelled the score toward the target with some intelligent batting.

They had each secured half-centuries and taken the score to 150 before they both fell in quick succession. McComb was caught and a tired Ramsden run out as he attempted a difficult third run.

The baton was picked up by Ian Wilkinson and Don Hurst who continued in similar vein.

They took ever riskier quick singles as they upped the run rate and crashed towards the target. The Parkfield players' heads seemed to drop as the inevitable defeat approached. P&O now needing just seven runs from the final two overs.

Don Hurst was bowled by the second ball and Alan Jolliffe was unable to take advantage of the remaining four balls.

No runs off that over and suddenly it was a different game. P&O still had hope with an in-form Ian Wilkinson at the crease. Yet when he was caught on the boundary off the first ball going for glory their hopes seemed dashed. Alan Jolliffe was bowled two balls later, Ian Hayhurst also fell when going for the big shot, and it came down to Jeff Gore having to hit a six off the final ball for victory.

He failed to make contact and P&O finished on 183 for 8.

P&O went out of the Lever Cup competition on Thursday in their semi-final away at Caldy. Batting first, P&O scored 95 from their 20 overs, a total that Caldy reached in ease with three overs to spare.

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