PRESTWICH BOUNCE BACK AT GREEN

by | Tuesday May 10th 2011 | Cricket

Prestwich bounced back from a Saturday setback to regain winning ways 24 hours later. The Heys team wilted at Woodhouses, but found the pastures greener at Roe Green to pocket their third league win out of four games.

Neither game was high-scoring as Prestwich found themselves having to bat first on wickets spiced up by the overnight downpours.

Indeed, there was plenty of fire in the Woodhouses deck as the second ball of the match bowled by pro Luke Swards to opposing pro Danny Jones saw the ball cannon off his helmet to square leg.

Jones looked to have weathered the storm as partners came and went. Matt Wiley was among the early casualties, l.b.w for 11, but not before he played the shot of the day, an “exocet” pull shot for six off paceman Sweeney.

Jones made 29 when he was caught with a lofted drive to cover by Tolley, while Sam Holden competently reached 30 before he snicked a delivery from Prescott to the gloves of keeper Tuson. Chris Thomas played a canny innings of 21 but with James Wharmby the only other to reach double figures (14), Prestwich were dismissed for 127.

The home side got off to a flying start and were 30 for 0 before Prestwich got a much-needed breakthrough when Andy Bradley had Doyle caught at slip by Steven Lorenzini for 6.

Cassidy made 22, but when he was caught by Wharmby off the bowling of Tom Gibson and Tolley fell to the Chris Jones, Danny Jones combination, the score stood at 54 for 3 at the halfway stage, and the game appeared delicately poised.

However, Swards soon swung the pendulum in his side’s favour as he opened up, making a match-winning 48. When he was out, Woodhouoses had enough in the locker to gain a four-wicket triumph.

On Sunday, Prestwich were indebted to a superb knock of 72 from Holden and a late rally spurred by Chris Jones to post a target of 141.

With the top three in the batting back in the pavilion with just 13 on the board, skipper Lorenzini and Holden embarked on a 58-run recovery mission before Lorenzini was caught off at slip for a gritty 22.

Holden was one of the few who looked at ease on the wicket as he struck 11 fours and one six in his 100-ball occupancy. His dismissal, one of five victims for Green pro Hough, paved the way for a vital cameo from Chris Jones whose 26 not out in the company of Bradley pumped the total up to 141 from 115 for 9.

Bradley was caught for 9, the victim of a magnificent running catch by Gareth Willams at deep square leg.

Opener Jamie Birch started brightly for Roe Green, making 23, before he became one of Bradley’s four quick victims (4 for 30) which saw Green dip to 45 for 5, from 35 for 1, and put Prestwich in the ascendancy.

Danny Jones had bowled a tight opening spell without claiming a wicket, and was replaced by brother Chirs who proceeded to bowl seven consecutive maidens. He finished with 2 for 4 off eight overs, wrapping up an excellent game for the experienced all-rounder.

Green skipper Ashley Williams was the last real line of resistance, but his firm low drive was well caught at extra cover by Steve Orrell, having moments earlier recovered from a painful blow to the knee at short leg.

Danny Jones was brought back to polish off the tail and finish with 3 for 21 and Green tumbled for 90, leaving the Heys side victorious by a 51-run margin.

* Prestwich face a home clash with neighbours Cheetham Hill on Saturday.

* Prestwich 2nds sustained their unbeaten start with an eight-wicket win over Woodhouses, John Fiorentini hitting an unbeaten 60. They followed this with a 76-run defeat of Roe Green, Jonathan Garstang cracking 85.