Teams face tough start on the first day

THE season officially springs into action on Saturday as Prestwich 1st and 2nd teams go in search of opening-day victories.

The first team will be seeking to go one place better in the GMCL Premier Division, after finishing a creditable runners-up in the new league’s inaugural season.

They travel to the appealing surrounds of Glossop hoping to repeat last year’s victory, but will be without their new pro Gihahn Cloete. The left-hander, opening batsman for Eastern Province and Warriors who recently reached the final of South Africa’s Momentum One Day Cup, will not arrive in time. However, he is expected to be fit and ready for the first home fixture the following weekend against Flixton.

Andy Bradley will be skippering the side, in which Alex Taylor will make his debut, having signed from Unsworth.

Lee Dale returns to Glossop, from Bamford Fieldhouse, and they will give Prestwich an early season litmus test of their title credentials.

It will be a unique season for Prestwich 2nds, captained by Peter Lorenzini, as they start out life in GMCL division two with a home fixture against Elton.

Winning division three last year meant Prestwich 2nds, along with promoted Glossop 2nds, will be playing against other first teams.

It will be a stern challenge, but with a couple of new signings and the promise shown by the club’s junior players, the team is ready to give it their best shot.

Come and support our 2nd XI at The Heys on Saturday: wickets pitched at 12.30pm.

On Sunday, the 1st XI are at home to Tonge in the first round of the ECB National Knockout Competition, starting at 1pm.

The ground is looking superb after more remedial and drainage work during the winter, together with the sterling efforts of the groundsman and his team. So it’s all down to the 11 players on the pitch.

Let play begin………

Pic: Glossop CC Facebook