The 2014 cricket season was the 33rd and last played by Prestwich stalwart Steve Orrell for the 1st XI. He joined the club at the age of 17 from North Manchester Cricket League club Transparent Paper and had just been named as Young Player of the Year for that League.
He was 18 when he made his 1st XI debut in 1982 and went on to score 11,720 runs for them, a Prestwich record since the end of World War 2 and more than likely an all time record since the club was formed 175 years ago. Even if it is just a post war record it is a tremendous achievement, but it is hard to believe that any player prior to this scored more runs.
Steve scored over 500 runs in a season on 7 occasions, his best being 807 in 1992 when he scored his first century, 109 against Fieldhouse C.C. He followed this with his second and biggest “ton” when he scored 132 not out against Irlam. He was gutted when Irlam left the League at the end of the 2012 season for he also scored an unbeaten 99 against them and when promoted to open the innings for the first time he scored the first of his 52 half centuries against them. It was no surprise to see him open the innings again in 2013 against Thornham and score 91.
He ended up being a not out batsman 99 times and the sign of a good amateur batsman is if he ends his career with an average in the twenties. Steve achieved this and he also set a record for the number of catches taken by a non wicketkeeper, 305.
He was appointed Club captain in 1993 and kept the job for 14 years, winning the League title in 2004, the first time by Prestwich in 97 years. They had previously won the Walkden Cup in 1933, but under Steve this was achieved again in 2002 and 2004.
Steve has coached the Prestwich Under 11’s team for 6 years and as Head Coach at the club he now passes his knowledge and experience onto the next generation of players. He also represents the Club on the Bury Cricket Development Group.
The Prestwich players will miss his runs and his brilliant fielding; there being two or three incredible catches last season which left the outgoing batsmen open mouthed in amazement. The aches and pains take a little longer to go away these days but thankfully, he is not going anywhere but will be continuing as Head Coach and also on the cricket committee.
Good luck Steve, you’ll be missed.
