Two dramatic cup quarter-finals proved joyful for the 2nd team, but joyless for the 1sts.
When Alex Taylor trapped Astley & Tyldesley batsman Pemberton l.b.w, it gave the 2nds a place in the semi-finals by one run.
But at home, the first team was on the wrong end of tense thriller as their pursuit of Roe Green’s 189 for 7 fell short by 2 runs.
The 2nd team triumph was indebted to a vital stand between Lewis Jarvis (36) and 13-year-old Luke Prescott (34) to pull round the total from 72 for 6 to a competitive 150 all out.
Taylor’s last-ditch wicket left him with 3 for 33 and Qasim Memon 3 for 32.
Jarvis and Prescott were also major players in the league win at East Lancs Paper Mill on Saturday when they were left chasing 142 all out (Jarvis 3 for 23, and Wilf Reeve 3 for 25).
From a perilous position of 22 for 4, Jarvis (45 not out) and Prescott (38) combined to earn the 2nds a three-wicket victory.
Sunday’s first team cup clash against Roe Green saw the visitors reach 189 for 7, indebted to an unbeaten 93 from Joe Gatenby-Brown.
Prestwich pro Ali Azmat made 53 – his first 50 for the club and he became the 100th player to score a 50 for the 1st team since World War Two. James Wharmby returned to form with 43 but losing their last 5 wickets for 22 runs left the home side agonisingly short.
On Saturday, the 1st team recorded a 38-run league victory over Monton after setting a target of 188 for 8. Danny Pawson notched his second half century for the club, top-scoring on 58, whilst Tom Gibson (25 not out) and Dan Ahern (15) added vital late-order runs.
Azmat took 4 for 34 and Andy Bradley 3 for 29 as Monton were dismissed for 150 all out in reply.
Last Friday saw both teams in T20 action.
Prestwich Heat dampened Edgworth Fury with a comfortable win, earning them a place in this Sunday’s T20 Finals day, to be held at Moorside CC.
Heat made 136 for 7, but had been 85 for 6 when Lee Dale (38 not out) and Ahern (16) staged a 51-run partnership.
Fury were decimated by an exceptional spell of bowling from Pawson who grabbed 5 for 13, and Nathan Bailey picked up 3 for 16, and were routed for 79.
Prestwich Heat play the first semi-final of the day on Sunday against Clifton, at 10am.
Prestwich Patriots lost by 15 runs in their T20 clash after failing to overhaul the total of 151 for 7 set by South West Manchester. Fifteen-year-old Matthew Korab top scored with 39 in a total of 136 for 6.
L-AST GASP WIN FOR 2NDS
