League delight turned to cup misery as Prestwich suffered mixed fortunes in their bid for double glory this season.
The Heys side managed not only to complete their first Saturday game in four weeks, but their five-point victory put them back on top of the Lees Lancashire County League.
But Glossop rained on their Walkden Cup parade on Sunday, as the visitors avenged their semi-final defeat from last year.
The weather predictably its part as Saturday’s league encounter with Roe Green at The Heys saw play interrupted seven times.
And the stop-start nature of the game was emulated in Prestwich’s batting, as understandably, they could never get any rhythm going due to the frequent breaks.
Six batsmen all got into double figures – but whether they were scapegoats or sacrificial goats as the bad weather loomed – they combined to put together an all-out total of 150, with pro Danny Jones top scoring on 34. Green pro Andy Hough bowled unbroken to take 4 for 57 and Chris Jones, who spent last year at Prestwich, mopping up four late wickets.
The Roe Green reply was again stifled by the rain, and Prestwich struck early in Andy Bradley’s first over. Sam Holden’s amazing one-handed lurch skywards at mid-on saw the ball stick in his palm to dismiss opener Justin Kenyon.
Prestwich took a stranglehold as the top five were back in the pavilion with just 28 on the board. It included a run out from Andy Taylor, who might claim to be upwardly mobile, but to the discerning onlooker, is more awkwardly mobile.
Skipper Ashley Wiliams and Luke Norris staged a mini-partnership of 34, intertwined with another break in proceedings, reducing the target to 109. However, 62 for 5 turned to 68 all out, as Williams was undone by a superb running catch in the deep by Chris Thomas. Jones (4 for 34) and Bradley (4 for 32) combined to take four wickets apiece, and with two run outs thrown in for good measure, five points were clinched, allowing Prestwich to climb back to the pinnacle.
Overnight and morning rain caused a delayed start to the Walkden Cup clash on Sunday and reduced it to a 34-over affair.
Dale Pennington cracked a fine 55 with Lee Dale (26) and Bates (29 not out), the main contributors to Glossop’s 156.
Tom Gibson was the main wicket-taker taker, recovering well from his wayward opening two overs to take 4 for 37.
In reply, Jones cracked a four off the first ball, followed by five overthrows off the next delivery, to give Prestwich a flying start.
But the Glossop opening duo of Mark Usher and the pacey Liam Riley soon pegged back the run rate, as Riley bowled Jones and James Wharmby and Matt Wiley were kept subdued.
The next 11 overs reaped just 15 runs, pushing the required scoring rate up to six-an-over.
Wharmby was caught by Allen for 21 and Sam Holden struck two sixes as he threatened to up the tempo, but was l.b.w. for 19 off the bowling of Will Hargreaves, who dealt another blow to have Wiley stumped for 32.
The home batsmen now needed to take risks, but with Hargreaves giving no margin for error, he capitalised in an exemplary spell of bowling, taking 6 wickets for just 15 runs.
Prestwich were left 30 runs adrift, fairly and squarely beaten by a side who are also most likely to prove one of Prestwich’s most potent challengers for the league title.
* The second half of the league season kicks off with a trip for the first team to Flowery Field on Saturday.
* Nick Carter’s haul of 5 for 25 paved the way for Prestwich second XI to triumph by three wickets at Roe Green.
