Bangor strengthened their grip on top spot in Section One after battling past bottom side Cooke Collegians by three wickets to open an eight-point lead in the title race.

Cooke made the leaders work hard for the victory, but were unable to turn a competitive total of 162 into victory.

Haider Haider and Manoj Khatri gave the hosts a solid platform, adding 56 for the opening wicket. Haider struck four boundaries in his 23, while Khatri made 17 before George Prince removed both batters.

Prince also dismissed Jasmeet Singh and Prince Sharma during an excellent spell of four for 28, reducing Cooke to 75 for four.

Vinoth Srinivasan and John Gibbons attempted to rebuild with 14 and 18 respectively, before Bibin Babu produced the innings’ most aggressive contribution. The wicketkeeper hit two fours and two sixes in a useful run-a-ball 32.

Brodie Harrison claimed three for 41, while Angus Farrell, Michael Skelly and Seb Yeates took one wicket apiece as Cooke were dismissed in 37 overs.

Bangor’s chase was built around former international Mark Hutchinson, who anchored the innings with a patient 43. Yeates contributed 24 before falling with the score on 48, while Harrison added momentum with 39 from 51 deliveries, including five fours and a six.

Ian Butler’s 25 took Bangor to within sight of victory, but Cooke refused to surrender. Srinivasan removed Harrison, Butler and Adam McCusker, while Babu dismissed Andrew Kirkpatrick and Farrell as Bangor slipped from 149 for three to 159 for seven.

However, captain Jonathan Parker held firm and Michael Skelly struck the winning boundary to take Bangor to the win.

The victory keeps Bangor firmly on course for the title, while Cooke remain rooted to the bottom despite a spirited display.