Patriots off to a flyer

There was a Thursday night run-fest at The Heys earlier as Prestwich Patriots got underway with a 37 run win over Milnrow Rams.

Thomas Orrell was not hanging around with a 24 ball half century before going on to score 80 which included 6 fours and 6 sixes.

He was supported well by Jack Doyle (20) and the returning Dan Ahern (24) before a big hitting 7 ball cameo from Hassnain Ashfaq (22) along with vital late runs from Matthew Cuthbert and Andy Beet help set the visitors a substantial target of 190 to win.

Milnrow made a decent fist of the chase but could never get ahead at any stage and closed out their 20 overs on 152 for the loss of 6 wickets.

• Prestwich Patriots 189-5 (Orrell 80); Milnrow Rams 152-6 (Ashfaq 2-16, Lester 2-32)