THERE was no stopping Oliver Holt as Prestwich put Thornham to the sword by nine wickets. The Prestwich youngster ripped through the top order almost single-handedly – and that’s no slight on his team-mates!
For Holt was playing with a bandaged hand after he came out second best trying to clamber over a fence.
But it was not enough to stop him taking four of the first five wickets last Saturday which left home side Thornham at 14 for 5 .
His nine-over spell was rewarded with 4 for 21 and he was replaced by John Walters who carried on the good work.
Mohammed sparked a mini-revival hitting 22 but he edged a Walters’ delivery and pro Amal Dalugoda took a superb diving catch at first slip.
Walters picked up 3 for 14, and Dalugoda chipped in with 2 for 9, as Thornham crumpled to 66 all out.
Mike Hudson and Gareth Barnes ensured there were no second-half snags with an opening stand of 44 before Barnes was caught by wicketkeeper Scott for 17.
Hudson racked up a confident-looking 39 not out to help bring a maximum five points back to The Heys.
The side pitted its wits against Bolton League side Farnworth in the first round of the National Cockspur Cup on Sunday – and lost out in a tense finish by two wickets.
The game was marked by a hat-trick for spinner Dalugoda but that was still not quite enough to earn victory.
Prestwich set a target of 132 after initially slumping to 37 for 5. Skipper Chris Humphreys (32) steadied the ship in partnership with teenager Tom Gibson (12) but their 50-run stand ended abruptly as they both departed with no addition to the score.
Jamie McAndrew rallied with 13 and Holt (18 not out) and Walters (10) also provided some late-order stubborness to boost the flagging total.
Palmer (4 for 22) and White (3 for 20) were the pick of the Farnworth bowlers.
Despite taking three wickets with 43 on the scoreboard, the visitors looked in control until Dalugoda changed the face of the game.
He had Rayment caught by Humphreys for 38 and with the score on 92 for 4, the Prestwich pro struck with a vengeance, taking three wickets in three balls.
At 114 for 7, Holt bowled Raynor for 8 and the game was in the balance but Dalugoda finished his spell with 4 for 19 and with Davies unbeaten on 40 and Palmer, 11 not out, Farnworth booked their place in the next round.
