Rain played havoc with last Saturday’s fixtures, forcing the abandonment of the 1st XI’s home clash with Glodwick, but it still meant they maintained their 9-point lead at the top of the Premier Division.
On Sunday, the 3rds and 4ths managed to play but both suffered defeat, despite a six-wicket haul for Karl West (pictured) in the 3rd team’s clash with Oldham West.
Exactly 20 overs were bowled by the 1st team in overcast clammy conditions last Saturday, in which Glodwick progressed to 81-4 (pro Sachithra Serasinghe 2-18) before rain prevented any further play. Despite the stalemate, the game will be remembered if only for another phenomenal exhibition of fielding by Tom Gibson.
Having narrowly missed with a direct throw from the mid-wicket boundary, he took a spectacular catch on the same boundary edge to dismiss Franco Lenhardt.
The outstretched hands of Gibson initially pouched the ball above his head, but as he fell backwards over the edge, he threw it in the air, stepped off the field and back on again, to complete the catch. It was far from simple, but he made it look simple.
Two balls later, he took a similarly brilliant catch on the opposite mid-wicket boundary to end Zain Tahir’s innings – this time Gibson swooped forwards and lunged to the ground to take the catch inches off the ground, making a difficult catch again look ridiculously easy.
The 2nd team’s trip to Thornham 1sts was called off without a ball being bowled.
On Sunday, Karl West was the 3rd team’s bowling kingpin, taking 6 for 32, and Muhammad Arif 2 for 27, against visitors Oldham West 1sts. They had been 104 for 7 at one stage, but recovered to finish on 186 all out.
Prestwich were never up with the rate but managed to hold on for a point, finishing on 142 for 9.
Skipper Pete Lorenzini top scored with 36, forging a face-saving partnership with Muhammad Arif (21 not out) when they came together at 64 for 7, after George Neill-Platt had earlier made 22.
The 4th XI found it tough against Astley Bridge 3rd XI in a 30-over game, and could only manage a total of 56 for 6, of which young Thomas Prescott hit 32 not out. The home side were untroubled as they passed the target without losing a wicket.
PRESTWICH 1XI v GLODWICK GALLERY
By Leo Michaelovitz
