THE scene is set for a final day showdown to decide who becomes the first-ever Premier Division champions of the Greater Manchester Cricket League.
It’s a straight shootout between leaders Egerton and second-placed Prestwich at The Heys this Saturday. Whoever wins, wins the title. Yet how this scenario was arrived at was far from conventional.
Torrential rain wiped out last Saturday’s games, and was so heavy, it left Prestwich’s home game against Flixton on Sunday in grave doubt – a game Prestwich needed to win to ensure they had a chance of overhauling Egerton on the last day.
An army of players and club helpers worked on Saturday night and Sunday morning to get the pitch playable – such a mountainous task it was a surprise Nick Knowles and his DIY squad didn’t turn up.
After some delay, the go-ahead was given for a 30-over contest, which Prestwich then lost! However, the sting in the tail was that Egerton also lost – to Bury – thus maintaining the status quo. Nothing had been lost – apart from some blood, sweat and tears – from the Prestwich point of view. Infact, Prestwich’s 14-run loss still earned a bonus point, ensuring there were no points conundrums to unravel.
As long as the weather doesn’t gatecrash the day, it’s a straightforward fight for the title.
The match is scheduled to start at 12.30pm and is poised to be a cracker, judged on the dramatic finish earlier in the season when Prestwich lost by two runs.
The telling analysis in Prestwich’s defeat to fourth-placed Flixton was the fact that Prestwich conceded 17 wides – and Flixton just one.
The visitors had mounted a challenging total of 165 for 4, as opener Luke Perry smashed a run-a-ball 87, with good support from his brother Ash who made 39. Sam Holden picked up two wickets, with skipper Andy Bradley and Nathan Bailey grabbing the others.
Some accurate bowling tied down the Prestwich top order, who then suffered the blow of losing Marty Walters for 20 by the cruellest of run-out methods. James Wharmby’s firm drive flicked off the bowler Connor De’ath’s hand and onto the stumps.
Sam Holden (19) and Ali Raza (20) both struck sixes and threatened to wrestle the game back in the home side’s favour as the run rate spiralled above eight an over. Despite their dismissals, Lewis Smith (14), Tom Scott (16), and Tom Gibson (35 not out) each blasted a maximum as they made a valiant effort, but finding 42 off the last three overs was just too big a task.
Alton Beckford and Connor De’ath shared the Flixton bowling honours with three wickets apiece.
Not only is the destiny of the league championship in the first team’s own hands, but the same applies to the second team. With two games left, they stand on 75 points, one ahead of Glossop and two ahead of Deane & Derby. They face a trip to Swinton Moorside on Saturday before their final game away to Heywood on September 17th.
A remarkably thrilling end to a topsy-turvy, rain ravaged season….
