Wins on Saturday for the Firsts and the Seconds kept them both in the hunt in their respective divisions.
With only two games taking place in Premier 2 on Saturday, Prestwich 1XI took full advantage and closed the gap on leaders Brooksbottom to just 2 points following a 7 wicket win at Walshaw.
This gap, however, would soon be increased again by Brooksbottom the following day with the Firsts being involved in National Cup action but more on that shortly.
Back at Walshaw, Professional Nico Van Zyl was in the thick of it again with both bat and ball. Taking 4-33 from 15 overs, wickets also for Nathan Bailey (3-39), Andy Bradley (2-32) and Charlie Jackson (1-25) helped leave their side a target of 145 to win.
After the second over dismissal of Tom Gibson, Lewis Smith (32, pictured above) and Stuart Els (30) took the visitors into the 50s before a big hitting innings from Van Zyl, consisting of five 6s and six 4s, guided Prestwich across the line.
On Sunday our interest in the National Club Championship came to an end following a 103 run loss to Ormskirk at Heys Road.
It was the familiar face of Sam Holden that did the most damage for the visitors with a boundary-laden 94, closely followed by an 87 from skipper Gary Knight, as the Liverpool Comp leaders finished their 40 overs on 274-6.
There wasn’t much to write home about with the Prestwich reply, although Lewis Smith’s unbeaten 64 became the best individual score at home to the West Lancastrians since Ian Walker’s 38 22 years ago.
Sam Baldwin (37), Andy Bradley (24) and Tom Gibson (19) the only others reaching double figures as Prestwich were all out for 171 in the 36th over.
Nico Van Zyl celebrates his maiden Prestwich half-century at Walshaw.
Back to Saturday and Prestwich 2XI enjoyed a big 145 run win over Heyside to stay on terms with Ashton at the top of Division 3.
Adam Cheshire top scored for Dylan Kane’s team with an unbeaten 64, with runs also for Thomas Orrell (50) and Daniel McCall (44) as the Twos finished their 33 overs on 187-3.
Only two visiting bats managed doubled figures, four wickets each for McCall (4-13) and Wilf Reeve (4-21), plus a couple for Cheshire (2-5), restricted Heyside to 73 in reply.
The Second Team’s scheduled league game the next day against Rochdalians was moved at the 11th hour to Littleborough Sports Club.
Unfortunately the adverse conditions at the ground meant the game was abandoned without a ball being bowled. This allowed Division 3 leaders Ashton to open up a small gap again following their 12 run home win over Adlington.
Adam Cheshire was in form with both bat and ball against Heyside.
With no Third or Fourth teams games over the weekend, there was one other success for the club on Sunday as the 5th Team returned from their friendly over at Runcorn CC with a 46 run win.
Winning the toss and batting first, the tourists got off to a good start with a run a ball 18 from skipper Richard Hatchett. Sahil Khan anchored the innings retiring on 37 while Leo Michaelovitz impressed with an unbeaten maiden senior half century retiring on 50.
Quick fire runs from Tom Hatchett (13) and Christian Millington (24*) got Prestwich to a total of 173 from their 30 overs.
Runcorn began their chase and whilst they matched Prestwich in having their top six getting into double figures, a cluster of wickets at the 20 over mark made the difference and took all momentum out of the hosts innings.
Leo Michaelovitz on his way to a maiden Prestwich 50 at Runcorn.
Anis Khaliq with 2-6 off 5 overs was the pick of the bowlers with Oscar Ireland and Luke Muir also grabbing braces with 2-12 and 2-18 respectively.
The 5s won by 46 runs giving them their fifth win out of their six fixtures played so far this season.
