Butterworth back from injury layoff with a bang

PRESTBURY hosted Ashley knowing anything other than victory could loosen their hold on second spot.

Ashley won the toss and decided to bat. Paul Butterworth, back after 11 weeks out with injury, struck with the wicket of Alves (6), but Baig and de Boar took the score to 64 off 19 overs before Sam Gilding had de Boar caught by Stuart Burnell for 30.

Baig reached 50 and with Morfitt put on 57 until the latter was out for 21, caught by Kavin Shanmugam off Guri Singh.

Butterwoth came back on to bowl and in his first over got the prized wicket of Baig, caught by Oakes for 63.

Prestbury pressed home the advantage, Butterworth having Hatchell (3) caught off his own bowling then at 159 Shanmugam took the wicket of Smith caught by Aqeel Ahmed for 5.

Butterworth bowled Winbury (0), and Gilding ran out Johnston (5) as Ashley reached 193 for 8 with Butt not out 44.

Bowling for Prestbury Butterworth finished with 4-36 off 14 overs, Singh 1-43 and Gilding 1-27.

Prestbury openers Ahmed and Steve Oldfield set about the bowlers, Ahmed racing to 42 out off 56 in the opening partnership before falling out lbw.

This brought run machine Singh to the wicket and he and Oldfield took the score to 100 off 22 overs, up on the rate needed but Oldfield was bowled for a solid 32.

Livesley joined Singh and both pushed the ball around and punished the bad ball and when Livesley was out, caught for 24, Prestbury required 31 off nine overs.

Burnell hit a quick 21 runs and with Singh hitting a four to both reach his 50 and win the game in the 41st over, it concluded a very well executed run chase by Prestbury.

When other results were in Prestbury were still second by 20 points with a big game at Poynton next week. Man of the match for Prestbury Paul Butterworth.

Seconds player Max Cowling Jones scored 100 not out against Mossley.