Prestwich 128ao (0) v Stand 131-4 (5)
LCL Division One at Heys Road, Prestwich
Saturday 24th April 2010
The fixture secretary of the Lees Lancashire County League wasted no time in spicing up the first day of the season when he landed Stand with the short trip to neighbours Prestwich. And it was the visitors who proved too hot to handle, running out comfortable six-wicket victors.
It was more a case of splice than spice for the Heys Road hosts as a powerduff total of 128 was well short of expectations.
There was no surprise to see Prestwich skipper Steven Lorenzini decide to bat first on a good-looking home deck, and openers Steve Orrell and debutant Lewis Johnston reached 19 with little trouble.
But double strikes by Carl Sutcliffe and Amila Weththasinghe removed Prestwich’s top four batsmen in the space of 21 runs, including the dismissal of new home pro Danny Jones, brilliantly caught one-handed at point by Matt Holt.
In a spot of bother at 40 for 4, what followed turned out to be Prestwich’s best spell of the day when Lorenzini and Oliver Holt strung together a partnership of 68 and passing the 100-mark with 17 overs left, Stand were just beginning to feel the tide turn against them.
However, Weththasinghe induced a rash shot from Holt for an otherwise competent 29 and Lorenzini’s patient stay of 34 ended with a catch to mid-on off the same bowler, who finished with 4 for 46.
Prestwich were now needing their late order to hang around like volcanic ash, but tight bowling by Stuart Catterall – who claimed four late wickets – wafted away any scent of a late rally.
The pacey opening duo of Jones and Holt caused some discomfort to the Stand openers with Chadwick caught by Johnston at slip for 8 and Dave Taylor l.b.w for 11, both falling to Holt. But pro Weththasinghe hardly put a bat wrong, and when joined by the experienced Catterall, a partnership of 81 all but sealed victory.
Weththasinghe struck eight boundaries in his 56 before Sam Holden claimed his wicket and Jones gained his debut wicket to dismiss Holt, but Stand deservedly took the opening day honours, with Catterall adding a measured 34 not out to his earlier return of 4 for 19.
Prestwich will look to bounce back away to Denton on Saturday.
LCL Results Matchday 1
Neil Ridehaugh returned to action with 105 as Woodbank got four points against Denton. Roe Green beat DSL by 6 wickets, Champions West got the points from their game at Cheetham Hill while Stand took the opening day derby honours with a six wicket win at Prestwich.
Saturday 24th April 2010
DIVISION ONE
Cheetham Hill 210ao (0) v Denton West 211-6 (5)
CH – Atif Bajwa 63, Arif Hussain 4-93
DW – Paul Turner 5-64 & 69, Andy O’Brien 51*
Denton St Lawrence 135ao (0) v Roe Green 139-4 (5)
RG – John Beardshaw 6-33, Jamie Birch 60
Dukinfield 91ao (0) v Woodhouses 99-0 (5)
WH – Mike Cassidy 56*, Sam Sweeney 5-26
Glossop 167-2 (5) v Irlam 161ao (0)
GL – Steven Bates 56, Adam Wilson 52*, Mark Dyson 47*, Joe Moss 4-39
IR – Hammad Khan 31
Prestwich 128ao (0) v Stand 131-4 (5)
PW – Steven Lorenzini 34
ST – Amila Weththasinghe 4-46 & 56, Stuart Catterall 4-19 & 34*
Thornham 104ao (0) v Flowery Field 108-3 (5)
FF – Damien Eyre 5-32, Jason Dodd 44
Woodbank 241-3 (4) v Denton 186-8 (1)
WB – Neil Ridehaugh 105, Martin Kay 68*, Darron Foy 53* & 4-51
DN – Matt Leech 66
DIVISION TWO
Irlam (0) 98-10 Glossop (5) 101-4
Stand (0) 79-10 Prestwich (5) 82-0
Roe Green (0) 116-10 DSL (5) 120-2
Denton (5) 113-2 Woodbank (0) 112-10
Woodhouses (0) 148-10 Dukinfield (5) 238-6
Flowery Field (4) 218-9 Thornham (0) 214-9
Denton West (5) 133-5 Cheetham Hill (0) 132-10
