SCULLY NULLY-FIED

Thursday May 29th 2014 | Cricket

READ all about it!

At last the rain relented on Bank Holiday Monday to bring some sunshine and thrilling sport to the cricket-starved Heys ground.

Prestwich faced Read, current leaders of the Ribblesdale League, in the first round of the prestigious Lancashire Cup and won by eight runs in a finger-nuzzling finish.

The home side had seen Saturday’s league game against Thornham washed out, and the only play on Sunday against Farnworth in the National Knockout Cup came via a bowl-out – which Prestwich won 4-2.

However, it was third time lucky for a game of proper cricket on Monday and both sides served up plenty to enthral the spectators.

A total of 155 was posed by Prestwich, as the Read attack and rain-sodden ground proved a real battle, although South African strike bowler Brandon Scullard was somewhat nullified as he failed to grab a wicket.

In reply, Sam Holden took the bowling limelight with 4 for 18 , together with a brace from skipper Andy Bradley and Ryan Stanbury, while Tom Scott and Lewis Jarvis grabbed a wicket apiece.

But Tom Gibson played his part magnificently in the field with three catches, including a stupendous one-handed diving pouch at point to remove Artingstoll for 23. He had earlier top scored for Prestwich with 29.

Stanbury pocketed the final wicket – bowling opener Marshall for 60 – to send Read to 147 all out and clinch Prestwich a tie against Northern League side Leyland in the second round.

* Gibson, Bradley, Scott and Jarvis all struck the stumps on Sunday in Sunday’s bowl-out.