Mehta’s five takes game to the wire

PRESTBURY’S first team opened the 2022 season at Rostherne against Saughalll CC.

The home team won the toss and asked Prestbury to bat.

Andy Scott and Steve Oldfield opened the innings but Scott was out early without scoring.

Rishi Mehta came in and with Oldfield took the score to 14 but Mehta was out for 6.

New batsman Stu Costello took the attack to the bowlers and made a quick 27 before being caught.

Will Worswick fell cheaply for 3 and at 62 for 4 a partnership was needed.

Debutant Muthu Karuppan and skipper Oldfield took the score onto 120 after 35 overs but Karuppan was out bowled for 20.

George Brindley came to the wicket but was unfortunate to be run out for 2.

Oldfield completed his 50, Max Cowling Jones made 7 but fell after being caught.

JP Roets 10 not out and Oldfield 73 not out completed the 45 overs with Prestbury finishing on 168 for 7.

Saughall made a solid start but Mehta got the first wicket, 12 for 1.

With the score at 41 Nick Turner had J Huxley LBW for 13.

It wasn’t till the 23rd over that Worswick bowled M Huxley, but with the score on 138 for 3, Prestbury needed wickets with only 31 needed.

However, Mehta with 4 wickets for 5 runs – his maiden first eleven five wicket haul – meant when Riddle Partridge claimed the ninth wicket Prestbury went into the last over of the innings with Saughall still needing two runs.

They managed it with four balls to spare, so prestbury lost by one wicket.

Mehta ended with 5 for 40 off 11 overs for Prestbury.

The seconds were at home versus Aston who made 153 for 6 off 40 overs.

Prestbury knocked the runs off, 157 for 5, with a superb 95 not out by Jake Ogden. A good solid start for both teams.