Prestwich’s impressive start to the season continued in a weekend that saw the team go five points clear at the top of Division One and progress to the next round of the ECB National Club Championship.
Saturday’s league visit of Roe Green looked somewhat in doubt after the Friday rainfall but the overnight showers didn’t materialise as forecast and the ground cleared up sufficiently for play to start on time.
Wonder what the damage will be this morning @PrestwichSport @Mancityno1 pic.twitter.com/9ROju1c8wW
— jameswharmby (@wharmby7) May 9, 2015
Batting first, Prestwich found it tough going at the start, posting just 11 runs off the first ten overs which included the early dismissal of Ryan Stanbury (2).
But that rate soon improved as the Prestwich score climbed in to three figures with Martin Walters and James Wharmby both reaching half-centuries.
Despite losing Wharmby soon after for 51, Walters, now paired with Sam Holden, kept the scoreboard ticking over and reached his maiden club century at 187-2 with six overs remaining.
Holden’s search for quick end of innings runs came to and end with a useful 45 while Walters finished unbeaten on 126 in a Prestwich total of 242-4.
1XI finish on 242-4 with Walters 126* #topknock
— Prestwich CTBC (@PrestwichSport) May 9, 2015
After tea, Stanbury’s brilliant opening spell tied up an end with just 8 runs coming off his first 8 overs while Holden (6-60) regularly took wickets as the visitors never really threatened the Prestwich score.
Tom Gibson’s ‘awesome’ catch sealed the 5 points with Roe Green all out for 145. Glossop’s loss at home to Dukinfield meant Andy Bradley’s side moved five points clear at the top of Division One.
Its @PrestwichSport setting the pace at the top http://t.co/2Dw19nm66x Check out the LCL stats functions pic.twitter.com/T0oU8hpfSZ
— LancsCountyLeague (@LancsCountyLge) May 9, 2015
On Sunday, attention switched to an ECB National Club Championship second round tie as Westhoughton of the Bolton League travelled to Heys Road.
The visitors opening pair of Houghton and Naylor (44) got Westhoughton off to a solid start before the latter was caught by Bradley off Tom Scott’s bowling with the score on 64.
As the score climbed in to the 120’s before Houghton’s dismissal on 35, Prestwich looked set for a substantial run chase after the interval. That was until three additional Westhoughton wickets fell for just four runs, pegging the visitors back to 133-5 with 19 overs remaining.
Another @braddersa74 @HarissAziz wicket combination. @Westhoughton_CC 132-4, 19 overs left
— Prestwich CTBC (@PrestwichSport) May 10, 2015
A Westhoughton recovery sent them on to 210 before Honour was caught and bowled by Holden on 35. That signalled the start of the end for the Bolton side as their last four wickets went for just 17 runs giving Prestwich a target of 228 to win.
Another shakey start sent Stanbury and Scott back to the pavilion early on with another two Prestwich wickets falling before the team managed to get to a hundred.
We are 27-2 in reply to @Westhoughton_CC 227ao. Stanbury and Scott the men out.
— Prestwich CTBC (@PrestwichSport) May 10, 2015
But Ali Raza and Tom Gibson dug deep and started turning the match back in favour of the home side.
Gibson was run out for 47 as Prestwich got within touching distance of their target while Raza was caught soon after on 90. But now with only 10 runs needed off the last ten overs, it was only a matter of minutes before Prestwich booked their place in the third round.
Game Over. Prestwich win with 9 and a half overs to spare @Westhoughton_CC
— Prestwich CTBC (@PrestwichSport) May 10, 2015
1XI chase down 228 in 35 overs…..
— Prestwich CTBC (@PrestwichSport) May 10, 2015
That third round will see Prestwich travel to Hyde CC of the Cheshire ECB Premier League on Sunday 31st May.
