Wharmby Digs In

Prestwich emerged comfortable winners from their top-of-the table clash with Denton St Lawrence at The Heys on Saturday.

James Wharmby was the cornerstone of the home side’s total of 236 for 9 with a gritty 87, before skipper Andy Bradley claimed a five-wicket haul to send DSL spinning to a 120-run defeat.

There was some encouragement in the wicket for the bowlers, and Scott Kirwin’s opening burst was unlucky not to have been more productive, beating the bat on several occasions. The visitors were also left to rue a couple of missed chances, and Wharmby survived to take full advantage.

Ben Tighe removed Mike Hudson for 7, Sam Holden for 26 and Ali Raza for 6, to return figures of 3 for 25, and Marty Walters had accrued 39 in gritty fashion before tickling a delivery from Jordan Williams to the gloves of Mark Dilnutt.

With flair and flambuoyance taking a back seat to graft and doggedness , Wharmby held the innings together, with minor supporting roles in the later overs from Tom Gibson (14) and Sean Haslam (15). Wharmby struck 12 fours before he was dismissed for 87, clocking up his 400th run of the season in doing so.

Whilst Prestwich might have felt a tad disappointed they had not reached the 250-mark, it was to prove more than plenty.

The DSL reply reached 50 for the loss of just one wicket when DSL skipper was adjudged l.b.w. for 19 to set Bradley on the wicket trail.

Prestwich debutant, left arm quickie Mike Finan, then picked up the prized wicket of Kirwin for 19, and DSL could never recover. Bradley brandished figures of 5 for 31, and was assisted by young spinner Nathan Bailey, who picked up 2 for 19.

The victory has opened up an eight-point lead for Prestwich at the top of the Premier Division, and the first team now face a busy three days on the road.

On Friday night, they go to East Lancs Millers in the Archway T20 competition, followed by a trip to Greenmount in the league on Saturday, and rounding off with a journey to Clitheroe on Sunday in the Lancashire Cup.