TADDY IS THE HAT-TRICK DADDY

An Andy Taylor hat-trick spurred league leaders Prestwich to a convincing victory over struggling Irlam.

The pace bowler struck three times in succession with the score on 10 for 1 to plunge the home side into trouble.

And when “Taddy” added two more to his tally, Irlam were on the ropes at 14 for 6.

Thomas and Harris staged a mini-recovery, taking the score to 41 before Danny Jones (2 for 6) claimed Harris as his second victim for 11.

The Heys side had travelled to the league’s bottom side without both leading wicket-taker Andy Bradley and record-runmaker Steve Orrell absent through injury – but they weren’t missed.

Taylor’s seventh over proved eventful: he trapped Shaw l.b.w. (44 for 8) with his first ball, but the following five deliveries went for 16 as Afzal decided the best form of defence was all-out attack.

Debutant David Smith wrapped up the innings, bowling Afzal for 18 and dismissing Harris for 12, thanks to a smart legside stumping from Matt Wiley.

Smith finished with 2 for 6, while Taylor bore the standout figures of 6 for 34 as Irlam tumbled for 69 in 18 overs.

Changes were made to the Prestwich top order, and Irlam took two early scalps as Tusuf Miran and Oliver Holt were both dismissed by Shafiq with just 8 on the board.

But Wiley and Sam Holden swiftly resurrected the situation, and both were undefeated – Wiley 26 from 16 balls, and Holden 33 from 20 balls – as the winning boundary was struck just nine overs into the innings.

It allowed the Heys team to maintain their nine-point advantage over nearest pursuers Glossop, but their title pretensions will be tested to the full this Saturday with a trip to Woodbank.

* Prestwich 2nds claimed a seven-wicket victory over Irlam 2nds, with Nick Carter’s 4 for 12 the pick of the bowling, while 35 not out from Jon O’Connor and 29 from Lewis Smith steered them home.