SHELL-SHOCKED Prestwich will be aiming to halt an alarming slump after two home defeats on the trot.
After crumbling against the boys from The Crimble – Heywood – the previous Saturday, they were Pole-axed by local rivals Unsworth this Saturday.
An unbeaten century from Unsworth pro Chris Williams was the cornerstone of a total of 203 for 6, with Mike Finan the pick of the home attack with 3 for 27.
It was then the turn of Williams and Ian Hall to wreak havoc with the ball, as they shot out Prestwich for a humiliating total of 46. Only Ryan Stanbury, with 22, reached double figures. Williams claimed 4 for 25 to complete an outstanding all-round performance, while Hall finished with superb figures of 5 for 16 from 9.3 overs, as the hosts were dismissed in less than 20 overs.
It was one of their heaviest defeat for many years, and Prestwich now lie third in the GMCL Premier Division, eight points behind leaders Egerton. They face a trip to Bury on Saturday in a bid to keep their title aspirations alive.
Saturday’s defeat came after a similarly lack-lustre display against Heywood seven days earlier.
The visitors, captained by former Prestwich player Chris Humphreys, comfortably overhauled a disappointing Prestwich total of 153 to scoot home by six wickets with more than 27 overs to spare.
The key twist to the game came when Prestwich were still sailing along in overdrive at 129 for 3, with around 25 overs left.
But both Stanbury, who made 47, and Ali Raza with 32, fell in the space of one run to the impressive 15-year-old off spinner Jack Morley.
Morley finished with 4 for 34, and Danny Pawson 3 for 9 as Prestwich lost their last seven wickets for a mere 24 runs on a decent deck.
Defending a small total, Prestwich gifted 35 runs in the first four overs.
Opener Bobby Cross took full advantage of some wayward legside deliveries, making 54 from 59 balls. Despite three wickets from captain Andy Bradley, including that of Andy Dawson for 31, a patient 19 not out from Danny Pawson steered Heywood past the target with six wickets in hand.
