Prestwich pro Nikhil Gangta cut down Flowery Field with a brilliant unbeaten ton on Saturday.
He stroked 143 not out from 125 balls, containing 12 fours and 6 sixes, to lead the 1sts to a daunting total of 274 for 6 who then dismissed the visitors for 155.
However it was not all a bed of roses, as the loss of two early wickets left Prestwich at 16 for 2. In-form Lewis Smith and Gangta then staged a fruitful partnership, taking the score to 146 before Smith succombed for 38. Ryan Maddock again showed his all-round versatility with a knock of 31 as Gangta made hay and notched up his first ton for the club. The innings also took him past the 600-run mark in all competitions this season.
The team was also boosted by the welcome return of Danny Pawson, and he made his mark early in the Flowery reply, taking a superb sprawling overhead catch to give Charlie Jackson the opening wicket.
Pawson himself grabbed a wicket, but it was the guile of Andy Bradley, returning figures of 4 for 38, who ensured Flowery’s progress was stalled, supported by Nathan Bailey (2-24) and Maddock (2-46), and resulted in a margin of victory by 119 runs.
Matthew Cartmell, who has joined from Lytham CC, also made his debut, becoming the 391st player to play for the first team since the end of World War 2.
Two days earlier, Prestwich Heat defeated Monton Mayhem by 22 runs to ultimately secure a place in the T20 quarter-finals.
Ryan Stanbury blasted 76 from 43 balls (8 fours, 4 sixes) with James Wharmby (27) and Stuart Els (22) chipping in to rack up a total of 167-6.
Wharmby’s innings took him past the landmark of 9,000 first team runs – only the 4th player to do this after Steve Orrell, Ken Morgan and Brian Lorenzini.
Ryan Stanbury on his way to 76 in the T20 at Monton.
Monton made a valiant effort before finishing on 145-7 (Bailey 3-19, Maddock 2-29, Jackson 1-15). Bailey’s 3 wickets made him the first to reach 30 for season and took him to 321 in total and 13th place level with Mark Whelan (1989-96). Bailey’s catch was his 66th and level 31st with… Mark Whelan.
After some re-calculations, due to the withdrawal of Winton from the group, it was confirmed Heat finished in first place, guaranteeing them a place in the quarter-finals. A subsequent draw held on Saturday saw Heat pitched against Walshaw Warriors this Friday (July 7) at The Heys.
The 2nd XI chalked up a five-wicket victory over Darcy Lever 1sts, sparked by a magnificent seven wickets for Andrew Beet at a cost of just 22 runs.
Hassnain Ashfaq took 2 for 31 as the hosts were bowled out for 141.
A patient 41 from skipper Steven Lorenzini set the foundation of the Prestwich reply but when Ashfaq (24) and then Lorenzini were dismissed, there was a little flutter at 92-5. However, Dylan Kane (17no) and Adam Cheshire (12no) stood firm to polish off the required runs.
Another top-notch bowling performance helped secure success for the 3rds at home to Uppermill 2nds on Sunday.
Khalid Noori finished with the fabulous figures of 5 for 6 as he created havoc in the visitors’ middle order. They fell to 104 all out, aided also by Finlay Lester taking 2 for 16.
Uppermill had been chasing a tough target of 220 all out, where teamwork in the batting sense was highly significant. Ellis Compton was the top scorer on 39 but there were several other worthy contributions from Noori (36), Charlie Jackson (29), Lester (23) and Thomas Orrell (22no).
The 4th team were swept aside by Swinton Moorside 3rds, losing by 9 wickets.
They were 45 for 6 before Jack Fisher came to the rescue with 43 and Mike Orrell hit 22 to push the score up into the realms of respectability at 130 all out.
But the Lawton brothers Oliver (54no) and Aiden (58no) put together an unbeaten stand for the second wicket to reach the target, Ben Pinkus picking up the only wicket to fall.
Nathan Flegg scored a half century before retiring as the 5th XI, brimming with youth, assembled a total of 142 for 7 against Cheshire side Barnton. Sami Khan made 24 while Kasra Tasklimi (13no), Dave Ireland (13) and Oscar Ireland (10) all contributed.
Nathan Flegg scored his first senior half century in the 5XI friendly at Barnton.
However, Barnton passed the total with eight wickets to spare, Khan and Taklimi each taking a wicket.
