Full marks for Prestwich has put them top of the Lees Lancashire County League.
A maximum 10 out of 10 points from the weekend’s two games saw them leapfrog to the summit in their bid to retain the title.
Steven Lorenzini played the captain’s role in its true meaning with two undefeated innings, when his side looked to their head man to steer the Prestwich ship through rocky waters.
He was ably supported by experienced sidekick Steve Orrell to keep them from running aground.
Dukinfield were the visitors to Heys on Saturday, and had the home side in a spot of bother.
Pro Danny Jones had looked in imperious form but Matt Wiley’s poor call left him run out by a direct hit two yards short of the crease for 24.
Wiley began to make amends and reached 50 in 63 balls, containing five boundaries and two sixes, before he chopped onto his stumps from the bowling of Imran Ditta.
The Heys side were moving along very swiftly – at more than five an over – but were also losing wickets at an alarming rate: 101 for 3 soon became 117 for 6.
Lorenzini and Orrell then used their guile to build a game-changing 87-run partnership in the next 20 overs, ending when Orrell was caught at deepish square leg for 39.
Lorenzini went on to complete deserved half century, while the innings was further bolstered by a run-a-ball cameo from Tom Gibson, who made 22, before he was helplessly run out when Lorenzini’s firm drive cannoned off the bowler’s hand onto the stumps.
A target of 243 was soon looking a tall task as a devilish opening spell from Danny Jones reduced the visitors to 29 for 4, with Gibson again in the action, swooping twice to take two excellent catches at first slip.
Pro Gleave hit back with 26 before he was undone l.b.w. by a ball from Andy Taylor, and only Liam Garnett provided any realistic resistance, with a spirited innings of 74. He was last man out with the score on 151, giving Jones a return of 5 for 43 and Prestwich a 92-run margin of victory. Taylor and Andy Bradley picked up two wickets apiece, and Gibson added to his all-round performance with the wicket of Pugh.
Sunday’s traditionally testing encounter away at Cheetham Hill did not disappoint.
Gibson’s juggling slip catch accounted for Taufel for 27, and Modi Ali was run out for 12 by a superb one-handed pick-up and throw from Jones.
But at 93 for 2, Prestwich still had a lot of hard graft to do, to stop facing a target above the 200-mark.
But a tremendous spell of bowling from Taylor (3 for 41 off 16 overs) was one of the main reasons why the home side failed to fully capitalise on their solid start, and he claime
Anwar’s wicket for 28, following up with the wicket of Ghulam Abbas for 1.
The key man was Ahmed, but on 60, his lofted extra cover drive was well clasped by the diving Oliver Holt, off the bowling of Bradley.
Bradley’s perseverance paid off, taking 4 for 82, which meant he has racked up 30 wickets to his name by the end of May.
The home side rarely finish with a whimper and at 161 for 9 Saleem launched a late assault with three sixes onto the adjoining bowling green in his quickfire 31.
Prestwich’s fielders had put in a sterling performance in the hot conditions, with Sam Holden taking three catches as they faced overhauling a total of 187.
Opening duo Jones and James Wharmby got off to a flyer, with a flambuoyant first-wicket stand of 94, although Jones survived one large slice of luck, when the Hill players allowed a skier to drop between them.
And even though Jones (48) and Wharmby (49) fell agonisingly short of their half-centuries, at 131 for 2, there appeared no reason for concern. Abbas (5 for 61) quickly claimed three more scalps, and Anwar one, as comfort turned to crisis in the away dressing room.
However, it was left to a repeat performance from Lorenzini and Orrell, who weathered the storm and patiently chipped away at the remaining 49 runs required.
They never allowed the run rate to get above four an over, despite some tight bowling from Abbas and Anwar, and timed it to perfection as Orrell (22 not out) swept the winning four with more than an over to spare.
Lorenzini’s unbeaten 23 was his third successive innings where he had held the mid-to-late order together with vital runs.
Woodhouses are the visitors to The Heys on Saturday as Prestwich seek to retain top spot.
* Prestwich 2nd XI suffered a double defeat, with a 39-run loss to Dukinfield followed by a six-wicket beating from Cheetham Hill, despite an unbeaten 81 from skipper John Fiorentini.
