It was a tale of middle order collapses as the first team defeated Walshaw by 40 runs last Saturday at The Heys.
Danny Pawson cracked a superb 80 in a second wicket partnership of 128 with opener Aaryaman Roy.
Roy (pictured) made a determined 48, following on from his maiden fifty last week, but it was Pawson’s departure which led to a batting subsidence that only Mike Hudson (20) showed much resistance to.
Having finished on a somewhat disappointing 186, the visitors likewise made a solid foundation, reaching 96 for 1 and looked in control. However, a similar slump, triggered by 3 run outs, proved their undoing. Nathan Bailey continued his rich vein with the ball, taking 3-47, Shivam Chauhan 2 for 29 and Andy Bradley 2 for 44, and Walshaw wilted to 146 all out.
• The 2nd team had to endure a few sticky moments as they chased a modest total set by hosts Astley & Tyldesley 2nds.
Adam Cheshire took the bowling honours 5 for 52 but it was the all-round performance of teenager Uwais Khaliq which proved decisive. He took 4 for 28, and followed this up with a knock of 54. as the 2nds reached the target, but lost 7 wickets in doing so.
• The 3rds continued their unbeaten start to the league season with an impressive win against a strong Clifton 3rd team.
An opening stand of 71 between Finlay Lester and Charlie Jackson set the tone. Lester struck a fine 58 and Jackson made a competent 35 after which the middle order chipped in to propel the total to 200, Chris Nuttall finishing unbeaten on 21.
Wickets were shared out as Clifton reached 168 for 8 at the end of their 40 overs. Lester and Umar Arif both grabbed two wickets each.
• The 4th team recorded a battling win over Whalley Range 4ths who were restricted to 118.
They were pegged back right from the start by opening bowlers Sam Staley (3 for 27) and Anis Khaliq (1-3 off 6 overs) which had left the visitors rocking on 4 for 3. Joseph Flynn took 3 for 30 and Mark Forbes 2-12 to limit the fightback.
Jack Fisher’s unbeaten 36 then saw Prestwich across the winning line for the loss of 5 wickets.
• The 5th team’s trip to Elton was a successful one – winning by 78 runs.
Gary Hershcovitch (36), Richard Hatchett (35 not out), Matthew Eaves (29) and Anees Arif (29) combined to forge a total of 181 for 8.
Arif grabbed 3 for 6, Shaheryar Khan 2 for 9, Anthony Mullin 2 for 6, and Mike Orrell 2-27 as Elton were eked out for 103, aided by superb catches from Mullin and Martin Regan, and Owen Adams impressing behind the stumps.
• The only reverse for the club’s teams came last Thursday in the T20 competition when Bury Bullsharks swallowed up Prestwich Heat.
Bury made 134 all out, (Bailey 4-22) and Pawson (3-24), but the Heat reply fizzled out, losing by 6 runs, Pawson top scoring on 35.
HEAT v BULLSHARKS GALLERY
PRESTWICH v WALSHAW GALLERY
