PRESTWICH captain Andy Bradley believes the club’s team spirit can lead them to league success.
Sam Holden and Ryan Stanbury both fell shy of centuries as the Heys men continued their seemingly unstoppable surge at the top of table with a five-wicket victory against local rivals Woodbank.
The Lancashire County League leaders have now won all eight of their opening games and, although Bradley admits remaining undefeated will be almost impossible, he also believes the team have what it takes to win the title.
“There’s a really good atmosphere around the club at the moment,” he said.
“We are all playing and winning for each other.
“It will be incredibly difficult to go all through the season unbeaten but it would be a stunning achievement if we could do it.
“I certainly believe we have a team capable of winning the league.”
After losing the toss again, Woodbank’s Steve Dearden led with the bat, hitting 86 as the visitors posted 246.
Captain Anthony Harris and Mark Stringer chipped in with 46 and 44 respectively for the loss of five wickets.
As Prestwich struggled with the ball, Bradley was the only bowler to take wickets, helping himself to 4-49 and also running one out from his 18 overs, with the other 32 overs going for 196 runs.
“I may as well have been the only bowler out there as everyone else got smashed all over the place,” he joked.
“Woodbank’s batting performance defied their league position but ultimately they got such a massive score because no-one else bowled as well as they have been doing.
“Despite the big target I still fancied us to win because we have been batting so well.”
Following James Wharmby’s cheap dismissal for just five runs, Stanbury hit the ground running, notching up 89 and Holden, in at number four, smashed his way to 91 not out to lead the Heys men to victory in a revised rain-reduced target.
Tom Gibson (13) and Mike Hudson (8 not out) also contributed as Prestwich hit the 233 needed for the loss of five wickets.
“You could see the black clouds coming over all day and eventually one got us,” said Bradley.
“We were off for about 20 minutes and lost five overs.
“When we did get going Sam and Ryan were brilliant. They both batted well and faced the same number of 72 balls.
“They batted sensibly but when the ball was there to hit they hit it hard and it went for four or six.”
Bradley’s men travel to local rivals Stand on Saturday before heading to Glodwick in the second round of the Lancashire Knockout Cup on Sunday.
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