Twos march on – reports for Saturday July 19th 2014

For the second week running a disappointing batting performance from Preston ultimately saw them having to be content with a draw against high flying Watford in Herts Division 2. After losing the toss and being asked to bowl first on a hot and humid day, Preston worked hard in the field with bowlers Mark Waters (3 for 40), Henry Morecroft (4 for 33) and Max Anderson (1 for 64) putting in good shifts to restrict Watford to 184 for 9 from their allocated 53 overs.

Preston made steady progress in their reply against some very accurate Watford bowling, reaching the 25 over mark at 60 for 2 (Jack Stevens 34) and reasonably well placed to accelerate their innings. However some indiscipline and poor shot selection saw them lose their next 5 wickets for just 22 runs in a crazy 12 over period, falling to 88 for 7 by the 37th over. It was left to Pete Murrell (19*) and Max Anderson to bat out for the draw as Preston closed their innings on 126 for 7.

Preston 2nds continued their fine recent form with a victory at home in Division 5 against Hemel Hempstead 3rds. Tim Stevens took two early wickets before Hemel’s Langley scored 92, as the visitors made their way to 208 for 9 after 53 overs. Skipper Ashly Catlin picked up 4 for 44. Once again Preston’s top order made rapid progress in reply. Openers Barry Turner and Iain Williamson (29) put on 73, before Adam Shelley (52) added 82 with Turner, who eventually fell for a fine 93. A late flurry of wickets briefly worried Preston, but they crossed the line with 4 wickets in hand in the 45th over.

Preston 4th XI hosted Southgate Adelaide 3rds at HBS on Saturday, and with a very weak batting line up were forced to insert the opposition in the hope a damp wicket might cause problems. Alas it was not the case as Adelaide posted 215 for 7. There were 2 wickets each for Duncan Hoyle and Robbie Parry, but once again the bowlers were let down by several drop catches. In reply, Hoyle top scored with 33 and Dave Saunders next best with 24. Newcommer Terry Neale,  whose father Frank played in the days of Brian Waters and Alan Maylin, enjoyed his first match with a wicket and 17 runs, as Preston bravely hung on for a draw at 8 men down with 148 on the board.

Preston 3rds away fixture at notorious Southgate Compton was called off during the morning of what transpired to be a glorious summers’ day.