Prestbury dig in for a vital win

PRESTBURY had four league games to get the first win of the season, and Barnton were the visitors.

Could Prestbury break the run of losses? Barnton won the toss and elected to bat. Cameron Graham and Rhys Mallard opened the attack and at 14 off 4 overs, Graham had Coot LBW for 4 – and with the score at 24, Graham has Connop caught.

Malley the opener was caught onehanded by Steve Oldfield off the bowling of Adam Phillips for 19.

Soon Barnton were 4 down as Flanagan was bowled for 0 by Graham.

He then struck again getting Blenkin LBW for 0.

Barnton got to 53 for 5 but Finlay Calder was brought in to the attack and in his second over had Hodgkinson LBW for 11.

Cross and Cook took the score to 80 for 6 – and at this point Prestbury had let teams of the hook but not this time. Mallard brought back into the attack went from 0 for 24 to 3 for 24 in 6 balls as he had Cook caught.

Graham wrapped up the Barnton innings in the next over with Cross caught by Kirkland for 20, 80 for 6 to 80 all out in 12 balls.

Prestbury wicket takers Phillips, 1 for 20, Calder, 1 for 12, Mallard, 3 for 24, Graham – a season best 5 for 14.

The umpires decided to leave tea until end of the match, so Phillips and Kirkland opened the Prestbury innings and got on with the job.

They soon had the score board ticking over without risk, taking the score to 75 off 18 overs.

But Phillips fell LBW for 46 and Kirkland was out, bowled, for 32 two overs later at 79.

Graham hit the winning runs with a 4 leaving Ben Mckeever 0 not out – but at last a win by 8 wickets.

Prestbury’s joint men-of-the-match were Rhys Mallard and Cameron Graham.

Next week Prestbury are at Stockport Georgians.