Prestwich CC got off to a flying start – for the first time in five years. The Heys side had developed an annoying habit of gifting their opening game of the season to the opposition.
But Prestwich were in a mean-fisted mood last Saturday with their new professional Amal Dalugoda providing the backbone of a 91-run victory in their Lancashire County League clash with rivals Woodhouses.
However, the margin of victory disguises the fact that this was by no means plain sailing, and there were a few choppy waters to negotiate on the way.
On a green but good cricketing wicket, Prestwich batted first and were in early trouble at 20 for 3. Following a brief mini-revival, the l.b.w. rule accounted for Steve Orrell (12) and Chris Humphreys without scoring, and Prestwich were back on sticky ground at 60 for 5.
However, the contrasting styles of Dalugoda and Paul Mercer proved the perfect match.
Dalugoda stroked his way to an impressive haf century while Mercer, starting out with sensible caution with his side on a wobble, then opened up to dominate a 60-run stand.
Mercer had just pulled Dougie Sloan for six and was looking to repeat the shot off another short ball but miscued it to Prescott at mid-off for 40.
Richard Scargill made 11 in a brief stay and youngster Tom Gibson cracked an exquisite straight drive for 4, but their dismissals left Prestwich in danger of being routed with plenty of overs still left to bat.
However, Olly Holt linked up with Dalugoda in an excellent 38-run rally to take the score to 191 which new skipper Humphreys would have settled for after such a hesitant start.
Dalugoda holed out at deep mid-off for 66 and Holt, despite batting with some discomfort due to a hand injury, finished 16 not out.
Humphreys then led the Prestwich charge in reply – taking two wickets in his first over.
The wickets of Woodhouses stalwarts Phil Sutcliffe and Alan Starmer were aided by well-taken catches at first slip by Dalugoda.
Humphreys grabbed his third wicket of a tight opening spell (3 for 19 off 9 overs) by trapping Clarke l.b.w. but the experienced duo of Mike Cassidy and Chris Atherton started to play their way back into the game.
Phil Kyle had conceded a couple of early boundaries when introduced into the attack but got his revenge when he bowled Cassidy for 31, and then picked up Hardman to return 2 for 22.
Atherton calmly stroked his way to 41 but his first rash shot signalled his departure.
He thrashed at a ball from Holt, brought back for his second spell, and Atherton’s off stump was flattened.
That proved the cataylst for the youngster to wrap up the tailend in a impressive burst of pace bowling, finishing with 4 for 31.
Dalugoda bowled tightly without finding much turn, but gained a deserved wicket (1 for 22 off 11 overs) and Prestwich ultimately ran out comfortable winners to get their season off to the best possible start.
