WOODBANK have been left needing favours from relegation battlers Bury and Egerton after being blown away in Saturday’s title showdown at Flixton.

Anthony Harris’ men were bowled out for just 68 as they chased the leaders’ total of 106-8 in a match that was reduced to 20 overs due to rain.

The result saw Woodbank drop to third in the Greater Manchester League Premier Division, with Denton St Lawrence moving a point above them after their match at Clifton was one of four games abandoned in the top flight at the weekend due to bad weather.

Woodbank entertain Denton St Lawrence on the final day, so could move back above them with a win if they match their results in the two preceding fixtures, at home to Egerton on Saturday and at local rivals Walshaw the following week.

But they will need help to bridge the six-point gap to Flixton, which opened up after last weekend’s defeat.

All three of the table-toppers’ remaining games are against teams currently in the bottom four – at Bury on Saturday, Egerton the following weekend and basement club Glossop on the final day.

That means many of the division’s remaining matches will have significance at the top and bottom of the table.

Walshaw have dropped back to just one place above the relegation zone after their game at the weekend was washed out and rivals Denton West leapfrogged them following a 45-run win at third-bottom Egerton.

Mikey Watt’s men travel to Denton West this weekend with a three-point cushion over the drop zone knowing a win would provide another huge step to safety ahead of closing games against Woodbank and Egerton.

Bury have their work cut out at home to the champions-elect, and Karl Belston’s side, who are second-bottom and seven points from safety, know anything other than a victory would leave them teetering on the brink.

Unsworth’s Leighton Friend produced the individual performance of last weekend, taking 7-7 in eight overs to help dismiss Division One’s bottom side Worsley for 40 runs.

Steve Judge (62 not out) and pro Harvey Hossien (59) put on 108 for the third wicket as Unsworth made 169-6 in a match reduced to 38 overs. And Worsley never got close to repeating their victory in the reverse fixture, with Jack O’Brien supporting Friend with 3-31.

Greenmount’s game at home to Flowery Field was one of four matches in Division One to be abandoned. However, they remain top by two points ahead of Saturday’s trip to second-bottom Winton.

DIVISION Three leaders Elton Vale can take a big step towards securing the title this weekend when they entertain second-placed Radcliffe.

Both sides are in fine form, but the hosts have a seven-point lead, and with only two matches remaining after Saturday’s encounter a victory would be significant.

Irrespective of the result, Elton Vale and Radcliffe can be certain of something to celebrate at the end of the season, with changes to the league structure making promotion a forgone conclusion. Whether or not they will be playing local derbies against Brooksbottom, Elton and Edenfield will depend on how those three clubs fare in the final five matches of the Division Two season.

The tier’s longer campaign, which does not finish until September 23, means last weekend’s washout did not have a significant impact on the three sides’ chances of bridging the gap to the top four and probable promotion.

Brooksbottom and Elton are level on 67 points, just two points behind Whalley Range in fourth. Edenfield are four points further back in ninth.

Elton captain Dave Murray said: “After a few poor results we could have done with getting a game but there was no chance of play.

“But we are definitely aiming for promotion and are confident we can pull out some big performances in the last month of the season.

“Fingers crossed the weather does not dictate our chances.”

Elton travel to bottom club Hindley St Peters on Saturday, while Edenfield host Brooksbottom.