Prestwich 121-4 (4) (revised target) v Denton St Lawrence (0)
LCL Division One at Heys Road, Prestwich
28th August 2010
Prestwich chalked up a notable double when they outplayed Denton St Lawrence to record a six-wicket victory on home soil.
The feat has been rarely recorded in recent times as the side’s defeat of DSL on their territory back in June ended a long-running hoodoo.
DSL also proved a happy hunting ground for Prestwich 2nd team on Saturday as their three-wicket triumph there clinched the second division championship – with three matches to spare!
The rain played its part in the first team clash at The Heys as it caused around five interruptions during the afternoon, which saw the match reduced to a 39-over affair.
The visitors, batting first, lost two early wickets to the bowling of Phil Kyle (2 for 19), but they managed to steadily overcome the damp conditions.
However, a scoring pie chart would have seen most of the runs bizarrely come in the fine leg region.
The introduction of Olly Holt changed the flow of the game as – in total contrast to his two previous five-wicket haul displays – he hurled down a few pies of the bowling variety, and they were promptly despatched to see the DSL innings pick up momentum.
They were in a promising position of 95 for 2 when a sudden shower forced a temporary break, which proved in Prestwich’s favour.
On the re-start the combination of Danny Jones and Andy Bradley began making inroads into the middle order once Adam Hawley had been dismissed for 60 and Simms for 36. Indeed, the vice-like grip on the scoring rate was only released by a late blast from skipper Steve Walton which pushed up the end total up to 145 for 8, Bradley grabbing three of the scalps and Jones a brace.
In reply, pro Jones got Prestwich off to a flyer with three boundaries in the first over from Imran Mirza, and Mirza also came in for harsh treatment from Steve Orrell when he deposited the ball on the long-off boundary banking.
Jones dominated a 48-run stand before Orrell was caught for 11. However, another rain break meant Prestwich had to ensure they were up with the run rate when their target was reduced to 117.
But Jones’s powerful hitting ensured this with a well-struck innings of 70, and with a promising cameo of 19 from Mike Taylor, a welcome four points were gained from the Lancashire Cup finalists.
* Prestwich face a double header this weekend with a home fixture to Thornham on Saturday followed by an away trip to Dukinfield on Sunday.
