Ritch pickings as 3rds gain opening day win

It was a gr-eight start to the season for the third team and bowler Stephen Ritchie.

He returned stunning figures of 8 for 13 to give Prestwich victory by 88 runs.

The 3rds were the first senior team to hit a ball in anger as the Prestwich senior season finally got under way last Sunday at Whalley Range.

An understandably slow and low wicket meant dogged determination was the order of the day and there’s few better than Adam Taylor. He top scored with 28 but this was an excellent team effort to assemble 126 for 7 at the end of 40 overs. Sam Staley (15), Leo Michaelovitz (13), Finlay Lester (11), Nathan Flegg (10) and Jon O’Connor (10no) all chipped in.

The home side then plunged from 11 without loss to 11 for 5, as Ritchie took aim with deadly effect. Staley and Karl West each grabbed a wicket as Range were dismissed for 44.

The team congratulate Ste Ritchie on yet another wicket.

Michaelovitz also had an immaculate game behind the stumps, conceding no byes and taking an excellent catch stood up to the wicket.

It’s the turn of the first and second team to shake off their shackles with their first league games of the season on Saturday.

The 1sts are away at Brooksbottom while the 2nds host Whalley Range 2nds.

On Sunday, the 2nds are in cup action at home to Glodwick 2nds.

On Bank Holiday Monday, the 5th team are due to play a couple of T20 games against a touring team from Irby CC. Check socials for more details of this over the weekend.