Boxer Anthony Joshua took a leaf out of Prestwich’s book – after they were rocking on the ropes before staging a triumphant rearguard action.
Alex Taylor led the Prestwich fightback with 18-year-old Nathan Bailey after visitors Flixton had delivered several early body blows to the home side’s batting armoury. Skipper Andy Bradley then delivered the knockout punch, taking seven Flixton wickets with his off-spin.
But the comfortable-looking margin of victory – 92 runs – masked the fact this was a hard-fought contest, with many ringside judges having it evenly balanced as the game entered its final quarter.
Batting first, Prestwich had been reeling at 128 for 7 when the Taylor Bailey duo, batting at 8 and 9, came together in a vibrant 96-run partnership, which went from face-saving to match-winning.
It was also proving hugely entertaining for the audience watching at home: no flippant statement, as the game was being streamed live for the first time.
It even afforded a highlights package which was surely far better Saturday night viewing than the fayre offered by a goal-starved Match of the Day.
Only Sam Holden sparkled in the Prestwich top order, falling just one short of his half century. New professional Gihahn Cloete, making his debut, was an early casualty, bowled by Hammond for six.
But Taylor, in only his second game for the first team, was so swashbucklingly superb, his bat could have been a cutlass – carving eight fours and scything four sixes in his knock of 69.
Bailey played an innings of real maturity, notching by a clear margin, his highest ever first team score. His run-a-ball, unbeaten 45 ended in style with a six to give Prestwich the upper hand at the interval, finishing on 229 for 9.
Flixton pro Tariq was the mainstay of the Flixton reply, but the visitors’ chances of victory petered out after he was bowled by Bradley for an impressive 71. The Bradley wicket conveyor belt was, by then, in full flow, and his 12-over spell earned him the commendable figures of 7 for 41.
Bailey rounded off an excellent all-round performance with 2 for 26, which included a superb catch by James Wharmby, now relieved of glove duty by Cloete. He ran back towards the long-off boundary to take a sprawling catch over his shoulder for the dismissal of Parkinson.
With the score on 137, Cloete took a skier off Bailey’s bowling to bring an end to a fine game of cricket.
Prestwich 2nd XI succombed to a seven wicket defeat at Astley & Tyldelesly, despite reaching 202 for 9. Skipper for the day Adam Taylor and the in-form Stephen Ritchie joint top scored on 41, with Oliver Holt (35) and Steven Lorenzini (26) making useful contributions. Holt took two wickets but an unbeaten 78 from Moore and 73 from Harrison led the home side to victory.
Prestwich 1st XI visit Clifton on Saturday, with both teams on 11 points after winning their first two games in the GMCL Premier Division.
Whalley Range 1st XI are the visitors to The Heys where the 2nd XI hope to register their first league win of the campaign. Wickets pitched at 1pm.
