SMASH-HIT Sam Holden struck his maiden first-team century to help Prestwich gain a run-crazy victory over plucky rivals Irlam.
He cracked an unbeaten 103 in 71 balls, which included 11 fours and 6 sixes.
But it was his whirlwind second 50 – made off just 17 balls – which proved crucial, allowing Prestwich to set a mammoth target of 300.
For the Irlam batsmen continued the run fest, with Abbasi also notching a century, and they fell a mere 26 runs short.
Prestwich failed to gain a maximum five points, as they did not get Irlam all out – but the four points was still enough to put them joint top of the Lees Lancashire County League, after leaders Woodhouses lost at Denton West.
Not for the first time this season, the Prestwich groundsmen worked tirelessly in the face of inclement midweek weather to produce a match-fit wicket, although little did anyone know it was to produce such a feast of runs.
Professional Danny Jones and Matthew Wiley showed the way in a 126-run partnership for the second wicket, after Steve Orrell had departed early, chopping the ball onto his stumps.
Wiley looked in imperious form, with cover drives proving the pick of his strokes, before he went aerial with a drive and was caught by Riaz at extra cover for 70. Youngster Holden linked up with Jones, who was also in tip-top form and heading towards three figures. He had struck 11 boundaries when he surprisingly mistimed an off-drive and was caught by Riaz for an excellent 87.
With few overs left, it paved the way for Holden to go extra-curricular in his strokeplay, and only later did it transpire how vital his mighty onslaught was.
He was still 20 runs short of his personal landmark with two overs to go, but a few lusty blows later, his bat was held aloft to mark a magnificent innings.
The total would normally have put most teams out of sight, but a strengthened Irlam side were in no mood to go down without a fight, and gave the Heys side a huge scare.
Danny Jones struck early to dismiss Quinn, caught by James Wharmby, but it wasn’t until brother Chris Jones entered the fray that Prestwich gained more joy, trapping Jamiel l.b.w. for 48, the score having steamrollered on to 113.
Indeed, Jones and teenager Tom Gibson managed to put some kind of lid on the visitors’ runaway run rate.
Infact, Gibson proved the outstanding bowler of the day, containing the run flow with his consistent line and length. His overall match figures of 10 overs, 1 for 33 was as good as a five-wicket haul in the context of such a high-scoring game.
He would have undoubtedly bowled longer, but for age restrictions on the numbers of overs he can bowl in any one spell.
Abbasi and Riaz took the score to 221 for 2, but the run requirement was now above 10 an over, and the re-introduced Danny Jones made the breakthrough, knocking back Abbasi’s middle stump to end his impressive innings of 104.
Even then, Riaz and Hood planted the ball in the Heys trees as they valiantly chased the target, but Jones, bowling a much better second spell, had Riaz caught by wicketkeeper Wiley for 60, and fittingly Gibson gained reward with the last ball of the match with the wicket of Lowrey.
* Prestwich face a double away journey this weekend, away at Dukinfield in the league on Saturday, and away at Farnworth Social Circle in the next round of the National Knockout on Sunday.
* A six-wicket haul from Nick Carter inspired Prestwich 2nds to a comprehensive 10-wicket win over Irlam 2nds, with David Taylor (52 not out) and Zach Wood (45 not out) knocking off the 106-run target.
