Ryan Stanbury went ball-istic to blitz Bury Bullsharks last night by smashing an unbeaten century in 28 balls.
Showcasing an incredible display of big hitting, he boomed 9 sixes and 10 fours, to catapult Prestwich Heat past the visitors’ target of 124 all out in 7.4 overs.
Stanbury is no stranger to wonder innings – and this certainly ranks amongst his most spectacular. Danny Pawson, a rapid runscorer in his own right, made 22 not out, but like everyone at The Heys ground, was a mere bystander as Stanbury slammed the ball into and over the boundary. There were just two dot balls in his amazing innings. Earlier Aaryaman Roy had taken 4 for 23 and Alex Taylor 2 for 19 to suppress the Bury target.
The 10-wicket victory added to a far closer T20 Cup triumph against Walshaw Warriors last Thursday where Stanbury was again in the runs, top scoring with 44. This took him past 5,000 runs for the club. Warriors were restricted to 126 for 5 (Roy 2-19, Pawson 2-33) and although Tom Gibson and Marty Walters both made 20, it was left to Jack Doyle (10 not out) to guide the side to victory with Adam Cheshire hitting the winning boundary with 3 balls to spare.
The 1sts certainly have the scent of trophy fever, as they defeated Glodwick on Sunday in the Derek Kay Cup, bundling them out for 98.
Sam Holden’s devastating spell of 6 for 19 meant he surpassed 300 wickets for the club while wicketkeeper Pawson took an amazing 6 catches in the innings. Nathan Bailey also grabbed 3 for 16.
Prestwich made hard work of the run chase, losing 6 wickets in the process, and having Alex Taylor to thank (29 not out) to see them across the line from a precarious position of 74 for 6.
The only blip for the 1st team came last Saturday, putting a dent in their league championship hopes. Visitors Heyside set a daunting target of 276 all out (Holden 3-25, Uwais Khaliq 2-34, Stanbury 2-41 and Bailey 2-49).
Despite a solid start from Cameron Mapstone (42) and Gibson (29), when the wickets of Pawson (48) and Stanbury (31) were claimed, chances of victory were swallowed up. Pawson’s knock took him past 500 runs for the season in all competitions. The side was not helped by an injury to the in-form Walters, who suffered a hamstring injury while fielding and could not bat, and this was in addition to the enforced absence of James Wharmby.
Prestwich 3rds won a dramatic cup tie against Whalley Range 3rds by one wicket last Sunday.
It required the steady head of captain Pete Lorenzini and the youth of Muhammad Arif to eek out the final 18 runs for victory.
The 3rds had earlier dismissed the home side for 142, with Thomas Orrell at the top of the bowling list with a return of 3-24, and other useful contributions from Muhammad Arif (2-17), Karl West (2-23), and Sam Harding (2-33).
Josh Ahern (28), Anees Arif (27) and Gary Prescott (26) put the 3rds on their way but a mid-order slump left the skipper to steer his team to victory.
Prestwich 2nds found it tough on their visit to Hadfield St Andrews 1sts, and were dismissed for 133. Haris Aziz top scored on 42 and Wilf Reeve made 21 not out but the home side chalked up a comfortable seven-wicket victory, Adam Cheshire taking two of the 3 wickets to fall.
Prestwich 4ths played a 35-over friendly at home to Trafford MV on Sunday and made 136 all out. Shaheryar Khan top scored with 45, backed up by Matthew Eaves on 33, and Ellis Compton with 27. But the visitors overhauled the target with six wickets and eight balls to spare.
R’high and mighty
