Prestwich Cricket Club has celebrated a very long unbeaten innings – in traditional willow-wielding style.
To mark 175 not out, a team made up of current Prestwich players faced a side of past players at The Heys ground on Monday.
It proved a sparkling anniversary occasion with a excellent turnout of spectators, including many present and former players and members of Prestwich Cricket, Tennis & Bowling Club.
Chairman Brian Lorenzini said: “We were delighted with the turnout for our 175th anniversary game. Many old faces appeared and, of course, some played in the game.
“I would imagine one or two aching bones were the measure of competing for some of our old players the following morning, but it was worth it – it was a special afternoon.
“We are very proud of our history and we look forward to the next instalments.”
The Present team, captained by Andy Bradley, emerged victorious over the Past team, which featured many of the players in the double-winning Prestwich team of 2007, by 17 runs in a keenly-contested 35-over game.
The Present set a total of 188, with Marty Walters hitting a crowd-pleasing century, before the Past team, captained by Steven Lorenzini, and including former professionals Craig Duxbury and Carl Hey, made a sterling effort to reach the target.
Hey top scored with 37, while a late rally from Chris Humphreys with an unbeaten 30, pushed his side to 171 for 9.
The cricket club was founded in 1840, and was originally based in Thatch Leach Lane. It was not until 1903 that it settled at its current location off Heys Road, having then moved a short distance from Stack Meadow, where Highfield Road now lies.
Its history is documented with highs and lows. World War One took a heavy toll on club members, and virtually wiped out its second team.
An award set up in the memory of Lieutenant Norman Rostern, one of the club’s most promising players who was killed on March 28, 1918, is still presented today.
World War Two threatened the club’s existence when almost all the male members joined up for service, but women tennis members stepped in as secretaries to keep the club going.
In recent years, the club has taken giant strides forward, both on and off the field, with the modern clubhouse being further extended earlier this year.
After a dearth of success over many decades in the 20th century, the onset of the 21st century has seen the silverware tally frequently rise.
The first team won the league in 2004, 2007, 2011 and 2012, as well as the Walkden Cup in 2000, 2002 and 2007.
Currently, the first team lies at the top of the Lancashire County League, hoping it can crown the club’s anniversary season with the title.
