DENTON St Lawrence maintained their four-point lead at the top of the JW Lees Lancashire County League table by completing the double over the defending champions.

In a match already delayed by rain, and with the prospect of more to come, Prestwich batted first and saw professional Viraj Perera strike an entertaining 34 before he was victim of a fine catch from Rasheed Nadeem off the bowling of Tharanga Lakshitha.

He then removed Mike Hudson before a storm interrupted play with Prestwich on 55-2.

Once the players returned, Paul Green also took two wickets, but the rain again intervened and reduced the match to 34 overs per side.

Prestwich scored steadily without ever threatening to post a big total as Lakshitha finished with five wickets, supported by good catching from Steve Walton, Scott Allen and Ashley Williams.

With the clouds again gathering, skipper Matt Wake decided to open the batting with Latshitha. Wake was soon dismissed for nine but Scott Allen and Latshitha added 70 for the second wicket in only 42 minutes to ease the nerves.

After their departure, Paul Green guided the team home with an undefeated 21 to keep Saints top of the table.

Saturday’s matches also saw a nine-wicket win for Flowery Field against Woodbank. Batting first, Woodbank were all out for 102 despite Dean McCheyne’s 55.

Flowery secured a maximum five-point haul by reaching 103-1.

Jason Stringer’s 5-49 helped Denton West dismiss Denton for 102 before replying with 104-4.

Greg Harwick took 7-28 as Roe Green were 94 all out against Glossop who replied with 94-1.