Prestwich 2nd team lifted the Per-Fit Cup last Sunday with a resounding eight-wicket triumph.
Add the cup to last year’s division three league title, and it’s been a flying start to life in the GMCL for Peter Lorenzini’s men.
Heavy rain had left the neutral cup final venue very sodden, but the hard work of the Elton CC officials meant the game with Woodbank 2nd XI could go-ahead last Sunday as a 35-over contest.
In the abandoned first meeting, Oliver Holt had proved difficult to handle and so he proved again, taking 4 for 32 from seven overs, making it hard work for the Woodbank batsmen.
It was a fine performance from the Prestwich attack as Lorenzini and Qasim Memon grabbed two wickets apiece, while Stephen Ritchie and Nick Carter chipped in with a wicket each.
Struggling at 48 for 6, Woodbank again showed they had a capable lower order, rallying to 102 all out.
Lewis Smith cracked two early boundaries for Prestwich, but his dismissal gave Woodbank some hope at 11 for 1.
However, Haris Aziz calmed any Prestwich nerves with a fluent innings of 40 from 42 balls, including a six onto the clubhouse roof. Equally important was the contribution of 15-year-old opener Jack Doyle, who fended off all that the Woodbank could throw at him, as the pair took the score to 60.
Matt Wilkes claimed the wicket of man-of-the match Aziz, but Daniel Ahern look assured in carrying on the good work, hitting an unbeaten 18. Doyle stayed superbly focused to finish on 24 not out, and the two youngsters guided their side past the winning post with nine overs to spare.
With Aaryaman Roy taking two catches and Adam Cheshire one, it was a real case of everyone playing their part in the victory.
The first team’s Premier Division clash with high-flying Denton St Lawrence was wiped out by the weather last Saturday without a ball being bowled. Bizarrely, with Egerton losing to Denton West, it meant Prestwich moved one place UP the table.
However, they remain in the relegation zone with three games remaining, and face a tough encounter on Saturday when they entertain Roe Green to The Heys.
The 2nd team lost to Thornham 1sts by 81 runs in their league encounter, and make the trip to Westleigh on Saturday.
The third team lost to Bolton Indians on Sunday by 116 runs. Karl West took 5 for 62, but the visitors still racked up 242 for 6. In reply, Sadam Baig top scored with 47, but the Prestwich reply fizzled out to 126.
