Prestwich 2XI v Denton West
Prestwich won the toss and on the hottest day of the year so far skipper John Fiorentini had no hesitation but to bat first.
Fiorentini (11) was dismissed early on caught off the bowling of I McAllister but the base of the Prestwich innings was built by his fellow opener Dave Taylor. The vice worked away for 35 overs but struggled to build partnerships as wickets were taken at regular intervals despite a hearty 26 from Mike Mangnall.
When Taylor (58) was eventually dismissed stumped off the bowling of Barnett Prestwich were hitting a bit of a rut at 131 for 6 as Denton West laboured well in the heat with some good line and length bowling.
An excellent 56 run partnership however between Adam Cheshire (35 off 25 balls) and new signing Tom Armstrong (29 off 26 balls) helped take Prestwich past the psychological 200 mark as the home side finished on 208 for 9 at the close.
West began well in their chase of the competitive total as they reached 30 without loss before a good take by Jon O’Connor removed Maynard off pace bowler Matt Walsh (1 for 21 off 7).
Adam Cheshire was then introduced to the attack to join fellow spin bowler Armstrong (2 for 38 off 16). The duo again combined to great effect as they had done with the bat previously to reduce West to 67 for 6 as they took the game away from the visitors. Cheshire took 3 for 32 off 10 including the notable scalp of clean bowling Gareth Senior (8).
A mini recovery was short lived before John Kerambrum (1 for 15 off 4) and Damon Montgonery (2 for 6 off 5) wrapped things up for Prestwich with the help of a Dave Taylor run out as West were all out for 116 as Prestwich continued their 100% start to the league campaign.
Glossop v Prestwich 2XI
On another sweltering day in the sun Fiorentini this time lost the toss as Prestwich had to endure the pleasure of bowling first in the heat.
Glossop began well reaching the 50 mark without loss before a good take by John Kerambrum removed Wilde (36) off the bowling of Pete Lorenzini (1 for 33 off 10).
Adam Cheshire (1 for 43 off 10) took a wicket early in his spell as he bowled Coates (32). Cheshire was again bowling in tandem with Tom Armstrong who was midway through an economical spell of 0 for 26 off his 10 allotted overs.
It wasn’t until the introduction of Damon Montgomery however with 20 overs to go that the home wickets began to tumble. Montgomery (3 for 26 off 6) clean bowled the dangerous Bevan Blackwood (31) before taking two further wickets one caught behind by Jamie McAndrew and another caught in the deep by Dave Taylor to leave Glossop on 160 for 5 with 8 overs left.
Opener Matt Walsh then returned to the attack and took 3 wickets including the impressive Parker who was clean bowled having made 58. Glossop closed with a competitive total of 214 for 8.
Prestwich would have fancied their chances on a good batting pitch but there first half efforts seemed to have taken their toll. Openers Taylor (16) and Fiorentini (2) made uncharacteristic mistakes, Jack Scargill (19) was unlucky to be caught and bowled after a sweet strike but when Cheshire (0) followed Mike Mangnall (9) to the shed Prestwich were facing early Hulme Cup elimination at 59 for 5.
Montgomery (13) and McAndrew put on 26 for the 6th wicket, before an excellent 50 run partnership by McAndrew and Armstrong gave the visitors at sniff of salvaging the game. McAndrew 48 was caught behind off Parker and when Armstong (22) was also out in the same fashion the game once again looked over on 147 for 8.
Walsh however had other ideas as he smashed 35 off 26 balls but was then knocked out by Kerambrum as Cheese smashed a full toss straight back at his partner to leave the big man trying to save the game with one hand in the remaining couple of overs! 195 for 8 at the close left Prestwich 19 runs short and that meant signalled an early Hulme Cup exit for the league leaders.
Pete Lorenzini
