At 76 for 8, and over 100 more runs required, Prestwich looked out for the count in last Saturday’s GMCL Premier division clash with Clifton.
But a sparkling stand of 62 between Ryan Maddock and Andy Bradley started to chisel away at the target, and when Maddock was joined by Charlie Jackson, another enterprising stand ensued which ultimately fell a valiant 8 runs short.
Maddock made an excellent 52 while Bradley struck 25, to add to his four-wicket haul earlier in the day, thus completing a fine all-round performance.
It was a fighting spirit that Prestwich will need to keep on showing as they aim to string together some more consistent performances.
Clifton had been restricted to a total of 178 all out by the bowling of Bradley and Nathan Bailey (3 for 33), while Jackson was the architect of two smart run-outs. However, the visitors were let off the hook as seven catches were dropped, leaving Prestwich pondering what could have been.
Prestwich had been out of luck two days earlier when they met Clifton in the GMCL T20 competition. Clifton Kingfishers posted 130 for 5 (Uwais Khaliq 2-24) but
Prestwich Heat fell seven runs shy, despite 51 from pro Nikhil Gangta and an unbeaten 41 from James Wharmby.
Pro Nikhil Gangta on his way to a half century at Clifton Kingfishers.
Steven Lorenzini celebrated his return from injury to captain Prestwich 2nds to an eight-wicket victory over Roe Green 2nds, making an unbeaten 52 in the process. Danny Ahern also struck an unbeaten 52 to overhaul the Roe Green target of 132, where Muhammad Arif (3-32), Wilf Reeve (3-50) and Sam Staley (2-18) inflicted most of the damage.
Stephen Ritchie was the star man for the Prestwich 3rds on Sunday as they eased past Heaton 3rds in the Sunday Cup by nine wickets.
Ritchie returned the fantastic figures of 6 for 9 to help send the 10-man visitors sliding to 76 for 9.
Charlie Jackson (27 not out) and Adam Taylor ensured there were no hiccups in reply, and even though Taylor was dismissed for 20, Ellis Compton (7 not out) helped complete the task.
Stephen Ritchie’s superb bowling efforts helped Prestwich 3XI progress in the cup.
Prestwich 4ths looked to have blown their chances of retaining the Sunday Plate after suffering defeat at Ashton 3rds by six wickets.
Anis Khaliq (41) and Jack Fisher (36) turned the score around from 55 for 5 to 121-6 before finishing on 147-7.
Liam Potts grabbed three wickets (at a cost of 23 runs), but could not stop the home side rattling up the runs to win the game. However, Prestwich have since been re-instated after Ashton were found to have fielded ineligible players.
The 5ths travelled to Upton on Sunday and found themselves trying to chase down a total of 195 for 5 (Jamal Oryakhail 2-22) in 35 overs. They reached 137 for 3 at the end of the allotted overs, with Nathan Flegg and Sahil Khan both hitting 32, Sami Khan making 25 not out, and Leo Michaelovitz 16 not out.
