Two quality batting displays cemented Prestwich’s position at the top of the GMCL Premier League.
Facing Woodbank last Saturday, the 1st XI racked up 301 for 7, led by Sam Holden (87) and Danny Pawson (78), with captain Marty Walters (42) and James Wharmby all making top order contributions.
Then Haris Aziz (19 not out ) and Aaryaman Roy (22 not out) shared an unbeaten 26-ball stand to take the total from 264 for 7 to beyond the magic 300-mark.
Prestwich then faced a battle with the elements as rain forced a couple of interruptions and Woodbank finished on 142 for 8 from the 22 overs played, giving Prestwich victory by 33 runs under the DLS method.
Nathan Bailey took 3 for 32 – making him the first Prestwich player to claim 40 victims this season – with Andy Bradley (2-39), Roy (2 for 38) and Ryan Stanbury (1-31) all chipping in. Imran Mirza hit 60, but the standout bowling performance on a murky day was Woodbank’s Ryan Barker, taking 6 for 81 and then being responsible for the only other wicket to fall by running out Tom Gibson.
The 1sts were back in action the following day in their re-arranged game at Egerton, which had been postponed earlier in the season for Covid reasons.
The home side did well to reach 159 for 9 from 48 permitted overs after Prestwich’s flying start in the field. Firstly, Declan Dudley’s attempted run was too close to the predatory Gibson and his lightning throw was well scooped up by wicketkeeper Wharmby to run out Mubashir Hassan.
Wharmby’s smart glovework was bettered 9 balls later with a superb stumping to dismiss pro Janith Liyanage.
A more straightforward dismissal – Holden’s catch at mid-on off the bowling of Bailey – was Holden’s 25th of the season and left Egerton at 11 for 3. But Dudley’s innings of 75 ensured Prestwich would have to work hard in the second half. Pro Sachithra Serasinghe took 3 for 50 and Bradley 3 for 54 from their lengthy spells.
There were few hiccups in the Prestwich reply, as opener Walters made 45 as part of a solid opening base, taking him well into the 900-run bracket for the season.
Holden then struck his second successive half century – making an unbeaten 63 – taking him to 55 half centuries (including 6 tons) in his first team career, and thus overtaking Steve Orrell.
Serasinghe finished on 26 not out and the target of 165 for 3 was comfortably attained.
Prestwich 1sts hold a 9-point advantage over nearest rivals Denton St Lawrence who have a game in hand.
The 2nd team’s trip to South West Manchester 1sts proved fruitless after being bowled out for 82. The home side earned victory by 8 wickets, Wilf Reeve taking the only two wickets to fall.
The 3rd team’s rain-affected game on Sunday ended in victory after posting 130 for 5 from 33 overs. George Neill-Platt top scored with 38 not out, supported by Chris Nuttall (26) who came together at a somewhat sticky position of 62 for 4.
Muhammad Arif then had Westhoughton in a spin as he then took 5 for 11, supported by Karl West (2 for 13) and Sam Harding (2 for 16) as they were dismissed for 67.
The 4th XI hosted Heywood 3rds on Sunday and were set a total of 188 for 9. Daisy Hunt (2 for 25) removed both openers, and there were also 2 wickets apiece for Liam Potts and Khalid Noori. In reply, Prestwich finished on 96 for 9, with Shaheryar Khan hitting 38 and Potts making 14.
The 5th team made the trip to Northwich for a friendly and were set a stiff target of 218 for 4. Whilst this was out of range, youngster Charlie Jackson, recovering from a serious ankle injury, took a wicket and top scored with 31, while Tim Compton (25) and Matthew Eaves (22) helped push the score to 115 for 9.
