A CENTURY of sheer brilliance from Sam Holden sparked a Prestwich victory in one of their biggest-ever run chases.
Facing a daunting Denton West total of 284 for 8, Holden marched to the wicket at 133 for 2 with a required run rate of more than seven an over.
From a mere 50 balls, he smashed 105 – including 9 sixes and 7 fours – to put his side on the brink of victory.
But there was more drama to come as a determined West – as you’d expect of a team who won the prestigious Lancashire Cup last year – grabbed five wickets in the space of 20 runs to leave Prestwich needing two runs to win off the final over with last pair Andy Bradley and Wilf Reeve at the crease. A cool-headed Reeve played back the first two deliveries before pulling the third ball for four to put the seal on a spectacular victory – and one of the finest games seen in recent years at The Heys.
West played their part in this showpiece, led by Mike Berry who cracked 99 in typically ebullient fashion, before he was stumped by Gihahn Cloete, off the bowling of Nathan Bailey, agonisingly short of three figures. He later returned figures of 4 for 62 to complete a fine all-round performance.
Berry had been well supported by pro Somila Seyibokwe, who made 47, while Liam Kilburn (33) and John Barnett (30) added key runs until Ryan Stanbury returned to the home attack and took four late wickets to finish with 4 for 61.
Stanbury swapped the ball for a bat to give Prestwich a solid base as he put on 72 with James Wharmby for the first wicket, before Wharmby was stumped for 23. A stand of 61 followed between Stanbury and pro Cloete until they both departed with the score on 133; Stanbury making a measured 62 and Cloete a competent 37.
Holden soon started to boom the ball to all parts of the ground and beyond, made all the more praiseworthy by the fact he was carrying an ankle injury sustained the previous week, which meant he was unable to bowl.
His brutal display of batting began to turn the tide in Prestwich’s favour as Tom Gibson gave excellent support with a run-a-ball 24, and the mountain appeared to have been climbed when they needed 24 runs from six overs with six wickets in hand, before the tumble of wickets made it such a memorable, nerve-jangling cliffhanger.
On Sunday, Prestwich’s trip to The Crimble turned to crumble.
Facing division one pacesetters Heywood in the second round of the ECB National Knockout, the Heys side slumped to 51 for 5 before a sixth-wicket rally of 62 between top scorer Alex Taylor (38) and Mike Hudson (25) helped push the total to 140.
Travis Townsend took 5 for 11 for Heywood, but he was one of three batting victims claimed by Nathan Bailey as he reduced the home side to 38 for 3.
However, Bobby Cross (64 not out) and Danny Pawson (46 not out) proved immovable to notch a comfortable win by seven wickets.
• The 2nd XI went down fighting against Swinton Moorside 1st XI, with a remarkable last-wicket partnership of 119 between Qasim Memon and captain Peter Lorenzini.
Both scored half centuries, taking the score from 153 for 9 to 274. However, they still fell somewhat short of the 357 target set by the home side, after Flatley (140) and Flynn (125no) had flayed the Prestwich attack.
• On Sunday, the third team were embroiled in another thriller at The Heys when the youngsters combined to play the starring roles against Wythenshawe 2nd XI.
Leg spinners Edward Whitehead and Aaryaman Roy, both aged 15, bowled in tandem in the climactic overs to help oust the visitors for 160, who had been in hot pursuit of Prestwich’s 184 for 9.
Whitehead took 3 for 12, as well as being instrumental in a run out, while 14-year-old Alex Quigley returned the excellent figures of 3 for 25 from seven overs.
Daniel Ahern, aged 16, top scored with 56 and Roy struck 46 in the Prestwich innings.
** This Saturday, the 1st team are away to Woodbank while the 2nd XI host Wythenshawe 1st XI at The Heys. The 1st XI are at home to Saddleworth in the first round of the Lancashire Cup on Sunday, while the 2nds have a league game away at Glossop 2nds. The 3rd XI are away to Friends Sporting on Saturday.
