Hodson Cup heroes

The 2014 season proved a memorable one for the 3rd XI when they lifted the Hodson Cup.
Nick Carter made the choice of the man-of-the-match award quite straightforward after hitting an unbeaten 116, taking 3 for 26, and two catches!
Captained by Brian Ahern, the side met Clifton 3rds at the neutral venue of East Lancs Paper Mill, and set a challenging total of 186 from their allotted 40 overs. Mike Dennett (26) and Tom Ward (10) gave good support.
Karl West grabbed two wickets and David Smith the other in their opening spells to reduce Clifton to 30 for 3 and a miserly and incisive spell from Ward (3 for 9) helped the team record an 85-run success.
The only negative on the day was the 2nd XI’s result – as they were playing in the Hulme Cup Final at Flowery Field, but lost by 3 wickets.

Hodson Cup scorecards (August 17)

Prestwich 3rd XI:

J Mercer c A Tocker b A Cunliffe 0
D Ahern b A Cunliffe 8
J Murphy b J Barton 9
N Carter not out 116
T Ward c A Lord b S Dorcey 10
M Dennett c A Lord b A Cunliffe 26
D Smith c S Dorcey b J Barton 5
C Percival not out 2
Extras 10
TOTAL (40 overs) 186 for 6
Cunliffe 8-2-30-3; Lord 8-2-35-0; Barton 8-1-37-2; Ferry 8-0-35-0; Dorcey 8-0-44-1
Clifton 3rd XI:

C Royal c N Carter b K West 16
G Rudd c D Ahern b D Smith 10
I Davidson c T Ward b K West 1
A Lord c D Ahern b T Ward 9
M Ferry c C Percival b T Ward 12
J Royal c D Ahern b T Ward 3
A Tocker b N Carter 13
M Harling c and b N Carter 1
J Barton b C Percival 19
A Cunliffe st D Ahern b N Carter 5
N Flaxman not out 6
Extras 6
TOTAL (33 overs) 101 all out

Smith 8-2-15-1; West 8-3-19-2; Carter 8-0-26-3; Ward 6-2-9-3; Williams 2-0-23-0; Percival 1-0-6-1