Prestwich 153-9 (1) v Denton 168-8 (4)
LCL Division One at Heys Road, Prestwich
17th July 2010
Steve Orrell’s half century followed by a spirited 22 and 17 by Ste Lorenzini and Gareth Barnes respectively, wasn’t enough for Prestwich as Tom Armstrong and Phil Kyle batted out the last couple of overs to secure a point for the Heys Road side against Denton on Saturday.
REPORT – If Prestwich CC first team could be named after a Mr Men book – topsy turvy would definitely spring to mind.
For their unpredictability resurfaced again on Saturday when the lost out by 15 runs in a rain-affected game against Denton at The Heys.
Buoyed by two wins away from home, the side was looking to make it three on the trot against a side two places lower in the Lees Lancashire County League.
While Prestwich were without pro Danny Jones, Denton were also missing their main strike bowler Andrew Neill.
But the visitors racked up a challenging total of 168 for 8 in 38 overs as the home bowling attack had little answer to the cavalier approach of the Denton batsmen – who decided the best way to tackle a wet wicket, where there was plenty of Mr Bounce evident, was to go out on the offensive.
Indeed, after 16 overs Denton had raced to 80 for 3, including the bizarre dismissal of Martin Leech, whose attempted pull shot off Bradley saw him hook the ball almost first circle to a surprised but grateful Tom Armstrong at gully.
Prestwich found it difficult to rein the opposition back in, as Aurisch top scored for Denton with 46 until he was well pouched by James Wharmby on the mid-on boundary.
Andy Bradley claimed the lion’s share of the wickets, taking 5 for 85 from an unbroken spell of 19 overs, and skipper Steven Lorenzini picked up two late order scalps to claim 2 for 8, but their cause was not aided by the impression of Mr Clumsy in the field in the latter overs.
After the tea interval, Prestwich’s top three were back in the dressing room with 26 on the board, all victims of the medium-pacer Aurisch. There was some rebuilding needed as Steve Orrell and Wharmby renwed their productive partnership of the week before.
Their stand of 45 looked to be turning the tide until Wharmby top edged a pull shot from a sharp rising delivery from Omar and was well caught by Aurisch.
Orrell struck eight boundaries to reach his first 50 of the season, but was then bowled by Patel, who went on to claim 4 for 35.
With the required run rate now topping seven an over, Lorenzini cracked a run-a-ball 22 and Gareth Barnes made a valiant 17 in just 10 balls, holing out on the mid-on boundary when he threatened to win the game for the home side.
In the end, the team hung on to claim a point by keeping their last partnership of Armstrong and Phil Kyle intact, but it was scant consolation for an overall disappointing display.
If anyone sees Mr Consistency, point him Prestwich’s way.
• Prestwich Seconds recorded another five points with a six wicket success at Denton. Glossop’s defeat at Denton West meant John Fiorentini’s side are now enjoying an 11 point cushion over the second placed team in Division Two.
LCL MATCHDAY 15
A six wicket win at North Road for Denton West reduces Glossop’s lead at the top of Division One to just four points.
Saturday 17th July 2010
DIVISION ONE
Cheetham Hill 156-4 (5) v Stand 67ao (0)
CH – Shabaz Butt 49, Yousuf Anwar 47*, A Saleem 5-29, Modi Ali 3-39
Denton St Lawrence 102-9 (1) v Flowery Field 105-9 (4)
DSL – Dave Morrell 5-44
FF – Glyn Middleton 5-42
Dukinfield (2) v Irlam (2) Abandoned
Glossop 130-9 (0) v Denton West 141-4 (4)
DW – Scott Kirwin 56
Prestwich 153-9 (1) v Denton 168-8 (4)
PW – Steve Orrell 50, Andy Bradley 5-85
DN – Janak Patel 4-35, Chris Aurisch 46
Thornham 131-8 (0) v Roe Green 136-4 (4)
RG – Gareth Williams 4-53, Phil West 60
Woodbank 127ao (0) v Woodhouses 184ao (5)
WB – S Ahmed 56, Darren Foy 5-34
WH – Sam Sweeney 6-24, Nick Doyle 56
DIVISION TWO
Denton (0) 113ao v Prestwich (5) 114-4
Denton West (5) 140-9 v Glossop (0) 106ao
Flowery Field (4) 138-6 v Denton St Law (0) 103-8
Irlam (0) 85ao v Dukinfield (5) 162-9
Roe Green (4) 147-6 v Thornham (0) 144-8
Stand (5) 177-7 v Cheetham Hill (0) 93ao
Woodhouses (5) 185-9 v Woodbank (0) 149ao
