There’s been plenty of gain, some pain, as well as the inevitable rain, for our senior teams over the past two weeks.
The highlight was the 2nd XI’s nerve-jangling and well deserved cup victory against Clifton 2nd XI at Dukinfield last Sunday (already reported).
The 1st XI got back on track on August 3 with an excellent away win at Woodbank. They rattled up 231 thanks mainly to 84 from Danny Pawson and 66 from Ali Azmat, with Sam Holden (29) and Dan Ahern (26) adding vital runs.
Ryan Stanbury took 3 for 15, and Andy Bradley 3 for 47 as Woodbank were dismissed for 149.
The day after, they competed in the Area T20 finals held at Toft CC and were beaten in the first semi-final by the hosts. Prestwich Heat racked up 144 for 7 in 20 overs, with captain Holden smashing 51. Toft reached the required target with 14 balls and 5 wickets to spare, but not after an early scare when they were reduced to 9 for 2. Toft went on to win the final by crushing Menai Bridge by 150 runs.
Last week’s 1st XI clash with Clifton was washed out by the rain without a ball being bowled, and leaves the 1sts lying in sixth place in the Premier division on 48 points, 7 points behind second-placed Flixton, but 23 points adrift of runaway leaders Denton St Lawrence .
The 2nd XI could only complete 2 overs against Bury 2nds last week before rain ruled the roost. This followed a league defeat to Shaw on August 3 when the 2nds rolled out high-flying Shaw 1sts for 99, Adam Cheshire grabbing 4-6 and Aaryaman Roy 3-26. But Shaw ran out comfortable victors when the 2nds could only muster 57 in reply.
Despite mixed fortunes, the 3rd team are sharing top position in the Sunday Premier Division.
They grounded out a 3-wicket win over Bolton Deane & Derby 3rd XI on August 4 who made 121 all out. Uwais Khaliq starred with 4 for 26, aided by Umar Arif 3-25, and Luke Prescott 2-14. But Prestwich were reliant on skipper Steven Lorenzini’s unbeaten 39 to steer them home.
Due to a fixture congestion, caused by the side’s progress in the 3rd XI Cup, they were forced to play Clifton 3rds over two nights this week, but this time ended up on the wrong end of another tight, low-scoring game.
Prestwich were all out for 107 where Josh Ahern top-scored on 38. Clifton appeared to be in control at 73-3 but four quick wickets put the cat amongst the pigeons, although Clifton rallied to pass the total with three wickets to spare. Karl West’s 2 for 9 (off 7 overs) and Khaliq’s 2 for 8 (off 6 overs) were the pick of the bowlers.
The 3rds had been due to face Roe Green in the 3rd XI semi-final last Sunday, but this also became a casualty to the weather. It is now scheduled to take place this Sunday at The Heys, wickets pitched at 1pm.
On Saturday, the 1sts makes the hop over to neighbours Stand while the 2nds welcome Werneth 1sts. Start times for these two games are 12.30pm.
