Prestwich 2nd team held their nerve to lift the division three title.
Their six-point victory at Heywood this afternoon – overhauling a target of 115 with the loss of just two wickets – ensured they won the trophy outright.
Anything less would have meant a share of the title with Glossop – but only Maltesers are made for sharing.
Heywood had looked set to post a far bigger total when they were 109 for 4, but the dismissal of Hunt for 63 saw six wickets tumble for just six runs.
The Subway meatball marinara duo of Stephen Ritchie and Oliver Holt served up the works with four wickets each, while Nathan Bailey chipped in with two wickets.
It soon became clear that Glossop were on their way to a six-point success, so Prestwich could not afford to lose more than three wickets.
So as Lewis “Big Dog” Smith and pup Jack Doyle strode to the wicket, so began skipper Peter Lorenzini’s sponsored laps of the Heywood ground – even frowning that his walking guide Tom Kelly had to take a toilet break.
Prestwich needed a solid start, and not for the first time, the combo of Smith and Doyle provided it with an opening stand of 51, before Joe Humphreys trapped Doyle for 9.
Haris Aziz added further support to Smith before being bowled for 12, but with the score on 83, there was still work to be done. It needed a cool, calm, thoughtful head in next, but alas, Holt was coming in at four no matter what.
But he proved the ideal man to assist the rampant Smith, starting off a superbly-timed drive for four to signal he was fully tuned in to the task.
Apart from one Keystone Cops moment during the running of a five, Smith and Holt (14 not out) saw the team triumphantly home with comfort.
2nd team win by 8 wickets to take the Div 3 title!!!! #winners
— Prestwich CTBC (@PrestwichSport) September 17, 2016
The Big Dog, despite looking shaggy and sweaty, rightly received the pats on the back for his unbeaten 70, and skipper Lorenzini completed his last lap with a skip, jump, punch of the air…..and hugs all round.
Well done lads!
@GtrMcrCricket Division 3 CHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/6lSyoNsiil
— Prestwich CTBC (@PrestwichSport) September 17, 2016
