THE biggest game in Prestwich Cricket Club's history beckons on Saturday.

They will attempt to win the Lancashire County League for the first time.

League championship glory last came to the Heys Road club in the 1890s when they won the Middleton League.

A four-point victory at home to third-placed Dukinfield would seal the prestigious title. Their Tameside opponents lie just two points behind, with Denton St Lawrence one point adrift.

Yet last Sunday, Prestwich were within three runs of clinching the league with a match to spare, as news filtered through Dukinfield had lost against Denton West.

Chasing a target of 117-9 set by local rivals Woodbank, four of the top five batsmen fell lbw as they slumped to 35-6 in the face of some tight bowling from the Stringer brothers Mark (5-50) and Jason (4-47). The Prestwich lads were staring a comprehensive defeat in the face.

However, a superb 56-run rally between David Fitzmaurice and Chris Humphreys took the score to 91 and reignited the scent of victory.

Fitzmaurice's innings of 38 off just 40 balls was ended with a well-taken catch by Stringer brother number three, Damian, at square leg, and Humphreys equally vital innings of 23 ended two runs later in unlucky circumstances as he got a bottom edge onto his stumps.

John Walters, who had earlier bowled a superb spell of 2-8, hit a feisty 12 to put Prestwich on the verge of victory until, with the score on 115, he was caught at backward point.

Earlier in the day, Prestwich had got off to a fine start as wicketkeeper Ian Walker whipped off the bails to have Damian Stringer stumped in Humphreys' first over.

Mark Stringer was then victim to an excellent diving catch by Steve Orrell off the bowling of Andy Bradley to make it 19-2.

Wickets fell at regular intervals as only skipper Neil Ridehaugh got to grips with the conditions of the low-bouncing wicket.

His innings of 51 took him past a personal landmark of 10,000 runs for the club, a feat warmly applauded by players and spectators alike.

Humphreys' 21-over stint was rewarded with figures of 3-21, including 11 maidens. It also meant he had topped 80 wickets for the season.

Craig Duxbury bowled tidily for a return of 2-21, and Alex Blake (1-23) grabbed the wicket of Steve Loster with the assistance of a fine catch low to Steve Lorenzini's right at extra cover.

Ridehaugh was finally removed by the introduction of Walters who also bowled Mustafa two balls later. The last pair could not be budged as they held out to prevent Prestwich the chance of gaining maximum points.

Compared to the tension and drama 24 hours later, Prestwich's trip to Glossop on the Saturday was largely free of incident as the Heys team recorded a comfortable six-wicket triumph.

Humphreys was again in outstanding form, reaping 6-65 from a 25 over spell to limit Glossop to a total of 160-8. Only a late surge from pro Damian Eyre got the home side above the three-an-over mark.

Walker then played effortlessly to rack up 49 before he gave a return catch to Eyre, one short of a deserved fifty.

However, Duxbury carried on the good work to reach 68 and with Orrell (17) and Mike Hudson (14 not out) chipping in, the total was passed with six overs to spare.

The whole season now hangs on the outcome of tomorrow's games, with three teams all in with a chance of the title.

It's been a remarkable season for Prestwich, who have remained in top spot in the league since the middle of May.

Onlookers who have followed their fortunes will no doubt wonder if this thriller of a sporting summer has one last dramatic twist.