U13s Champion of Champions

Saturday September 28th 2024 | Cricket

Prestwich U13A team finished their season off in style to become GMCL Champion of Champions.

As winners of the West division one, they were pitched against Greenfield, winners of East division one.

The end-of-season showdown was held last Saturday morning at Heaton CC and Prestwich were invited to bat first on a green-looking deck.

They posted a challenging total of 115 for 2, having to combat some excellent Greenfield bowling.

Yug Trivedi (20) and Kasra Taklimi (11) provided a solid start which captain Nathan Flegg built on, striking a run-a-ball 32 not out before retiring. Lucas Alford (21 not out) and Sami Khan (16 not out) carried on the great work with an unbeaten partnership.

Ten-year-old Matthew Flegg (0-10) combined with Yaya Nadeem (0-22) to open the bowling for Prestwich, but it took a big slice of fortune to make the breakthrough for the first wicket.

Opener Matthew Jones was run out at the non-striker’s end as the ball touched Nadeem’s hand from a firm straight drive by James Coleman. Coleman had a fine match, retiring on 30 to add to his figures of 1 for 9 off 4 overs.

Wickets began to fall at regular intervals as Nathan Flegg (1-3), Luke Muir (1-9), Kasra Taklimi (2-6), Louis Avanessian (0-2) all put the squeeze on, before Rasbir Singh claimed the last two wickets from just 4 balls and Greenfield were dismissed for 55 – 60 runs short of the Prestwich total.

Wicketkeeper Harry Wolstenholme was excellent behind the stumps and Nathan Flegg earned the man of the match accolade.

The game was played in an exemplary sporting spirit by both sides, with Prestwich helping out to provide sub-fielders.

Thanks to umpire Nigel Stock for his officiating and to Heaton CC for being very welcoming hosts.