Prestwich first team went down fighting to lose by two wickets to Bamford Fieldhouse.
They showed plenty of bulldog spirit to so nearly pull off an unlikely victory at The Heys.
Prestwich’s backs were firmly against the wall after chalking up a below-par total of 161, although credit must go to the Bamford attack who made it tough going. Babar Khan returned 4 for 36 while Adil Mustafa took 3 for 38, backed up later by an unbeaten and match-winning 24.
Ryan Stanbury hit a typically brash 35 before a skier was superbly caught by Lee Grogan. Pro Gihahn Cloete had looked in excellent nick and was untroubled in reaching 29 before Mel Austin trapped him l.b.w. James Wharmby began to find his form with some exquisite on-drives and struck a pleasing 33 until Mustafa cleaned him up. A late cameo from Sean Haslam (14) pushed the total beyond the 150-mark, and whilst it was not a straightforward batting strip, Bamford held a definite advantage at the interval.
In reply, the visitors looked to be cruising at 84 for 2 when teenager Nathan Bailey forced the vital breakthrough, bowling Mitchell Renwick for 38. There appeared little panic until Stanbury held onto a marvellous diving catch at backward point to see off Ryan Senior for 16, giving Sam Holden his only wicket.
Even at 117 for 4, Bamford held all the aces, but lost four wickets in four runs as skipper Andy Bradley turned the screw, taking three middle order wickets to add to the scalp of opener and former Lancs and England player Chris Schofield.
Bamford were looking more like Bambi on 121 for 8, but they found their legs again, in the form of Austin and Mustafa.
Despite Prestwich’s best efforts – Bradley finishing with 4 for 35, Stanbury 2 for 42, and wicketkeeper Wharmby claiming four victims – the visitors accrued another 44 runs to make it over the winning line.
The battling spirit shown by Prestwich will hopefully act as a catalyst when they travel to Bury on Saturday, for a league game which signals the halfway point in the season. Stringing together a run of wins could still see them have a say in the top end of the table.
On Sunday, the 1st XI make the trip to Norden in the third round of the Lancashire Cup.
The 2nd XI showed their battling qualities too in reaching 181 on a tough wicket at Edenfield, with Daniel Ahern making an unbeaten 54.
However, opener Paul Gallagher struck 86 not out as the home side chased down the target for the loss of four wickets.
The 2nd XI are at home on Saturday where they entertain Brooksbottom 1st XI and face a trip to Denton St Lawrence on Sunday in the Per-Fit 2nd XI GMCL Cup.
Prestwich Heat were on fire in their final T20 game last Friday. Roe Green set up a total of 144 for 7, but the sparks flew from the bats of Cloete (70 not out off 46 balls) and Stanbury (54 off 32 balls) to guide Prestwich to victory with six overs in hand.
