SAM-PLY superb!
That was the innings of Prestwich batsman Sam Holden who struck an unbeaten 136 to guide his side to victory on Saturday.
And yet he took to the crease on something of a rescue mission after visitors Woodhouses had the Heys side in a spot of bother at 13 for 2.
Prolific scorers Danny Jones and Carl Hey had been sent packing by the Woodhouses opening attack.
Holden joined opener James Wharmby to provide some backbone to the Prestwich score, but when Wharmby’s leg stump was knocked back by Ashley Prescott with the score on 50, there was much work to be done if the home side were to set a decent target.
Holden took the bull by the horns, making his way to 50 and then proceeding to his century – his second of the season – and ultimately his highest score for the club.
His 137-ball knock contained 17 fours and four sixes, but just as impressive, was the responsibility he showed in mixing aggression with defence.
He received some good middle-order support, mainly in the form of Tom Scott, who carved out a vital 39 in a productive partnership which pushed the score up past the 200 mark.
Some late lusty blows from Holden – nearly 30 runs came in the last two overs – allowed Prestwich to finish on 243 for 5.
Whilst missing some key players, Woodhouses’ opener Nick Doyle showed his positive intentions from the start with a series of fours to rattle the score into the 40s at a flowing rate of six an over. However, he was halted when an Andy Bradley delivery kept low and Doyle was pinned l.b.w.
The slow-bowling combination of Bradley and Hey pegged back the initial run burst, and the batsmen soon fell behind the necessary run rate, aided by some excellent ground fielding from Prestwich, led by newly-booted Olly Holt. Tousif Miran was again in the thick of the action with a run out and catch at deep mid-off, off Bradley, to dismiss Nick Hardman.
Hardman had heightened the visitors’ hopes with a breezy 39, but the target become increasingly distant. Dave Garner remained steadfast and unbeaten on 66 from 130 balls.
Skipper Bradley returned 2-64 from 18 overs, and Jones 2-57 from 14 overs, while Hey grabbed a wicket, as Woodhouses finished on 204 for 6, leaving Prestwich to settle for a four-point victory.
A derby double-header confronts Prestwich this weekend, as they make the short journey to Roe Green on Saturday, followed by a home clash with Stand on Sunday, seeking to peg back the five-point lead held by Denton West at the top of the Lees Lancashire County League.
