Rebuilding project continues at Poynton

POYNTON ended their season on a winning note at Prestbury, but this was their first win in almost two months, and they finished down in ninth place of the 12 teams in the division.

Poynton won the toss and batted, Banner falling early for nine but Haresnape (20), Williams (43) and Stringer (30no) helped them to 131 for 6 off 40 overs.

Matty Gray took 3 for 30 off 13 overs and Ben Oakes 1 for 17.

Prestbury were 26 without loss when Julian McGovern (22) fell and the rest of the batting withered away again with only Joe Seddon (13) getting into double figures. Prestbury were all out for 55 off 28 overs, Jimmy Williams taking 6 for 21.

Prestbury’s end of season awards were held on Sunday with honours going to Tom Livesley (batting), Matty Gray (bowling), Aqueel Ahmed (team player), Julian McGovern (club player) of the year and Ben Oakes (clubman). Nets start for juniors at the end of January, February for seniors.

Meanwhile, for Poynton, the wins in the first two matches back in April prompted some within the club to believe an immediate return to the Cheshire County League was on the cards, following last season’s relegation.

In truth however, the club remains in a rebuilding phase, with so many key players having moved on in recent years.

There was never likely to be the strength in depth within the squad to sustain a promotion bid, and indeed these first two matches were the only occasions on which back to back wins were recorded.

On any given day though, if availability was good and the players performed to their full potential, Poynton could be a match for anyone in the division.

The wins over Stockport Georgians and Ashtonon-Mersey were perhaps the best performances.

The experience of Damian Stringer has been invaluable this season with both bat and ball.

Simon Dunn also enjoyed a rich vein of form in the middle part of the season, culminating in a century against Disley, while Adam Williams also contributed four half centuries.

Captain Jimmy Williams claimed more than 40 wickets during the season.