WOODBANK very nearly recorded an unlikely three draws in what was a bitter-sweet weekend for the Greater Manchester League Premier Division leaders.

Anthony Harris’ men kicked off on Friday with a tense tied match at local rivals Walshaw in the GMCL20, with both teams finishing on 98 in a low-scoring but thrilling encounter.

The skipper’s nerves were shredded further against reigning champions Egerton in the league on Saturday, when Woodbank pulled a result out of the fire to tie on 154.

It looked like history could repeat itself yet again on Sunday as they attempted to chase down Denton St Lawrence’s total of 253-9 in the Derek Kay First XI Cup, but they fell four runs short.

“We joked after the Egerton game about what odds we could get on a third draw of the weekend, then thought ‘oh no, it’s happening again’ as we neared DSL’s target,” said Harris. “It has left my nerves in shreds, I can tell you that.

“I have mixed emotions, as we have obviously dropped points and are out of the cup, but the fact we have been involved in three such tight games over one weekend is a great advert for the GMCL.

“I don’t think I have ever been involved in one draw, never mind two in a weekend, so it is pretty rare.”

Bury were also involved in a thrilling league and cup double-header, chasing down 241 at Flixton to record a welcome two-wicket win in the Premier Division then thumping Division Two side Westleigh by 151 runs in the Derek Kay First XI Cup.

It could have been much easier at Flixton for the Radcliffe Road men but for a stunning 156 from the home side’s Johan Wessels.

Mukhtar Nasir (5-41) eventually tempted Wessels to hole out after his 137-ball knock, with Alex Breckin taking the catch on an eventful day for the Bury bowler, who took 3-53 then hit an important 42 runs in the middle order.

Opener Mohammed Jamal also played a key innings of 47 to get the run chase going, while Dominic Morris smashed 53 in 53 balls to maintain the momentum.

But victory was not assured until the final ball, which went for two, as Nasir (17 not out) and Jordan Belston (14no) held their nerve to steer Bury home for a second win of the Premier Division campaign.

Jamal’s 125 and an unbeaten 73 from Breckin underpinned a comfortable win against Westleigh in the cup to cap a perfect weekend.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Walshaw recorded a third win of the campaign, beating relegation rivals Denton West by 36 runs. Dylan Blignaut made a key contribution with the bat, scoring 61 of Walshaw’s 158 runs, while Joe Smith-Butler took 4-50 as Denton West were bowled out for 122.