Another win for the ones, and runs for the Morecroft brothers on Sunday

Preston 1st XI continued their recent fine run of form with a comprehensive 5 wicket victory at the Recreation Ground over Welwyn Garden City 2nds.

Not surprisingly, on winning the toss the visitors elected to bat first in the hot conditions and they made steady progress in reaching 63 for 1 after 20 overs. Preston were again indebted to the outstanding efforts of seam bowler Mark Waters (16-8-28-3) to claw their way back into the game, which included capturing the vital wicket of the prolific ex Herts skipper Martin James for a fluent 60. Some excellent ground fielding from Preston kept Welwyn scoring at just 3 runs per over, with left arm spinner Max Anderson (11-3-31-4) picking up the other wickets to fall as the visitors closed their innings on a below par 163 for 9 from 53 overs.

Not for the first time this season Preston lost early wickets in their reply with both Catlin and Morecroft falling cheaply inside the first 5 overs of their innings. Once again it was skipper Warren Hearne along with Peter Williamson (47) that got them back on track with a excellent 62 run 3rd wicket partnership. The free flowing Will Gallimore (35) then made batting look easy in a rapid 48 run partnership with Hearne. It was then left to John Garnham and skipper Hearne, who remained unbeaten on 53 not out, to guide Preston home in the 37th over with 10 overs and 5 wickets in hand.

Preston 2nds were well beaten by a strong Datchworth 1st XI in their Herts League Division 5 clash. Preston made a good start to the match, openers Casey Walker and Peter Murrell scoring 61 for the first wicket. But Datchworth spinners Steve Nash (5-40) and Tom Bennett (4-43) restricted Preston’s scoring rate, assisted by some fine fielding, and only Richard Gatehouse (46) was able to regularly find the boundary as Preston were dismissed for 158 in the 52nd over. Datchworth made light work of the run chase, Luke Bennett (61 not out) and Tom Bennett (49 not out) taking them to a 9 wicket victory in 29.1 overs.

Preston 4ths lost at Bushey on Saturday, after posting a total of 118 thanks to 30 from Hickman and 23 from Arishful. Bushey had to work hard for their runs but were helped on the way by 5 drop catches, reaching their target with 5 wickets in hand.

Twin brothers Henry and Jack Morecroft enjoyed a fine day for Preston’s Sunday 1st XI at Old Camdenians. Opening the batting together, they posted a stand of over 150 with Henry making 102 and Jack 81. Preston’s final total of 286 for 5 was too much for their opponents, who were dismissed for 240 in reply.