• Prestwich 1XI 108-1 (Gibson 55*); Horwich RMI 92-8 (Bailey 3-22)
It went right down to the wire but Prestwich 1XI held off the challenge of Roe Green to, fittingly, take the newly-named Robert Hinchliffe Premier League crown with a rain-affected win at Horwich RMI.
Stuart Els and Tom Gibson put on 69 for the first wicket shortly before a near two and a half hour delay following heavy rain.
A further four overs were played, adding 35 runs, before the umpires deemed parts of the ground unsafe and needing more time to dry out.
The innings was subsequently ended with Prestwich on 108-1 from 26 overs and tea was taken. The home side were then given a revised target of 139 from 20 overs when play eventually resumed.
The Prestwich attack didn’t take long to make inroads, Charlie Jackson seeing Curme caught behind in the second over with Horwich yet to score a run. Little was trapped lbw by John Richardson shortly after and then had opener Baldwin caught by Tom Gibson at cover.
Horwich fought back with professional Evan Williams and Jack Berry getting into their 20s but with the required run rate creeping higher and higher it would need something special to turn this one around.
But as news filtered through of an easy Roe Green win at Clifton, a glance at the in-play league table had the Worsley side leap-frogging into top spot.
Step up Jake Lintott whose two wickets fragmented the middle order before Nathan Bailey had Williams caught by the aforementioned sub-pro.
Overs were now running out and with the required rate getting up towards 20, Prestwich knew they were on the brink.
A couple more wickets for Bailey the icing on the cake, culminating in Swindells being caught by Richardson with the last ball of the season.
Cue joyous celebrations as the 46 run win ensured the Premier League trophy spends the next 12 months at the home of the gentleman whose name now resides upon it.
Back at Heys Road, Prestwich 2XI were rained off after just 10 minutes of play in their final game at home to Wythenshawe. The 2 points means an 8th place finish for Dylan Kane’s men – the highest placed 2nd Team in the entire GMCL. Add that to their recent cup win and you can safely say it’s been a fantastic season for both our Saturday teams!
• Prestwich 2XI 16-0 (Baldwin 12*); Wythenshawe 1XI DNB Abandoned in play.
