Prestwich washed away their local rivals Stand with a convincing eight-wicket win after skittling them out for 64.
A combination of excellent bowling from Danny Jones, who grabbed a five-wicket haul, and Wilf Reeve, had the home side on the rocks from the start, although their injudicious batting played a part in their own downfall.
There had been little hope of play starting when the two sides arrived at the Hamilton Road ground on Saturday amidst persistent rain, and the forecast was for no immediate let-up.
But not for the first time, the weathermen got it wrong, and with the Stand ground soaking up the morning deluge well, a 38-over game proceeded.
Prestwich skipper Andy Bradley won a vital toss, and asked the home side to bat. When Brookes padded up without offering a shot in Wilf Reece’s first over, the Prestwich attack took a stranglehold on the Stand top order.
One of the few bright spots was a six over the boundary wall from Peter Walters, but Jones reaped revenge three balls later, enticing a snick to wicketkeeper James Wharmby.
Stand’s bad day at the office was compounded by an injury to their talisman Stuart Catterall.
The in-form batsman was attempting to take a run, following a misfield by Steve Orrell, when Catterall collapsed in pain with a leg injury and had to retire hurt. He is now likely to be out for the season after sustaining a snapped Achilles.
At 33 for 8, which was effectively nine down due to Catterall’s injury, last pair OJ Beirne and Chris Marlor applied themselves admirably to almost double the total.
Batting with attrition and common sense, they frustrated the Prestwich attack, both making 14 in a 31-run partnership that saw Stand finish on 64 all out.
Bradley was forced to ring the bowling changes in a bid to eek out the final wicket. Tom Gibson broke the stubborn stand with his first ball, as Beirne was caught by Bradley at mid-off. Jones finished with 5 for 21 and Reeve 3 for 27.
Matt Curphey and Jack Walmsley both made life tricky for openers Jones and Wharmby. Walmsley trapped the latter l.b.w. 3 and Prestwich were 10 for 1 after 10 overs.
But Jones and professional Carl Hey saw their side to the brink of victory in a partnership of 50 before Jones was caught by Dave Taylor for 24. Hey remained unbeaten on 26 as the clouds closed in, and Sam Holden top edged with winning runs.
• Prestwich hit the bullseye to earn a place in the second round of the Lancashire Cup on Sunday.
Their trip to Central Lancashire League side Rochdale was successful, although not a single run was scored.
Rain meant the tie had to be decided by a bowl-out, which Prestwich won 3-1.
They were 1-0 down after five bowlers had taken aim, but Phil Kyle, Tom Gibson and Tom Scott all hit the sticks in succession.
Prestwich face a double header at home this weekend, hosting Stretford in the Lees Lancashire County League on Saturday, before a tasty first round tie in the Walkden Cup. They welcome Denton West, who currently stand at the top of the league table, just one point in front of the Heys side.
• Prestwich 2nds registered a four-point victory over Stand 2nds on Saturday, with Matt Walsh’s haul of 6 for 68 including a hat-trick. Earlier, Prestwich batsman Tom Kelly had made 66.
Photo: Wilf Reeve courtesy of the Prestwich & Whitefield Guide
