What a corking weekend!
Six wins from six senior games played – in which the 1sts leapt to the top of the premier division and then popped the champagne corks after winning the Derek Kay Cup.
A remarkable fightback also means the 3rd XI made it through to the final of the Sunday Cup, to be played on August Bank Holiday Monday.
The 2nd team also boosted their chances of remaining in GMCL division 1 – playing other 1st teams – with a hard-earned defeat of Milnrow 1sts.
After suffering a gut-wrenching defeat to Roe Green the previous weekend, there was no better way for the first team to wash away the woes.
Flixton were the visitors to The Heys last Saturday and another power-packed batting performance saw them stack up a total of 341-5 from 50 overs.
Another productive opening century stand between James Wharmby (74) and Marty Walters (28) was followed by an even more fruitful stand of 131 for the third wicket between Danny Pawson (80) and Sam Holden (58).
Even then there was no let-up, as pro Sachitra Serasinghe (30) and an unbeaten 44 from Ryan Stanbury surged the score well into the 300s.
Flixton were bowled out for 205, as Serasinghe took 3 for 67 and Aaryaman Roy took 3 late wickets (3 for 2).
The victory took the team to the top of the league – one point above Denton St Lawrence, who are this Saturday’s opponents (away from home).
Bradshaw CC provided an excellent venue for the cup final on Sunday which the 1sts won comfortably by six wickets (as previously reported), chasing down Denton West’s target of 219.
The 2nd team ran out victors by 31 runs against Milnrow 1sts last Saturday, after setting a target of 215. Dan Ahern struck a fine half century, but were wobbling at 134-7 until Adam Cheshire (40) and Tom Scott (42 not out) came together at the crease to bolster the innings.
Cheshire then claimed 3 wickets, together with Uwais Khaliq (3 for 23) while Umar Arif took 2 for 36 as the hosts were dismissed for 184.
The 3rd XI appeared to be facing a losing battle in last Sunday’s Sunday Cup semi-final at Heaton. As previously reported, they were in pursuit of 159 and had slumped to 60 for 7 before Tom Ward smashed a superb unbeaten 95.
The 4th team travelled to Runcorn for a friendly and notched up 144 for 7. Gary Prescott, retired for 57, and son Thomas Prescott, who hit 31, staged an opening partnership of 101. After a loss of quick wickets, a rally from Liam Potts (16) and Thomas Hatchett (12 not out) added some late runs.
In reply, Runcorn were rumbled for 90 with Potts (2-19), Khalid Noori (2-9) and Dave Eckersley (2-15) in the thick of the wicket-taking.
A 5th team friendly at home to Whalley Range 5ths ended in a thrilling finish – and a 2-run triumph for Prestwich.
Shaheryar Khan struck 40 and Ellis Compton 18 in a total of 113 all out. The visitors were then dismissed for 111. Umar Arif took 5 for 28, Alistair Reed 2 for 16, with a wicket each for Hashim Salahudin and Gul Safi.
Yesterday (Thursday), the 4th team travelled to play a friendly at Colwyn Bay but were thwarted by the weather. They managed to score a total of 144 for 5 from 40 overs (Sam Staley, 33 not out; Tim Compton, 32 not out) and Colwyn Bay had made 9 without loss from 2 overs when the rain intervened and no further play was possible.
CUP FINAL GALLERY
By Leo Michaelovitz
