Superb seconds lifted out of relegation zone

Preston 2nd XI scraped a vital win over Chorleywood 2nds in a nail-biting finish at the Recreation Ground. Batting first, Chorleywood made a stuttering start as 16 year old paceman Seb Walton-Adams picked up 3 cheap wickets. Chorleywood’s middle order then lifted the score to 121 for 5 before the returning Walton-Adams claimed two more victims to give him figures of 5 for 45, his first five wicket haul for the club. Pete Murrell then ended Chorleywood’s innings in spectacular fashion with a hat-trick, leaving Preston chasing 150 for victory.

Although Preston lost two early wickets, Adam Shelley (24) and Richard Gatehouse (45) batted positively to leave them in sight of victory at 103 for 5. Casey Walker and Pete Murrell then took Preston to within 15 runs of the target before disaster struck, as four wickets fell for just 3 runs. Last man Finlay Connah joined Murrell in a nerve-wracking partnership, before Murrell (32 not out) spanked a short ball through the covers for a brilliant one wicket win that lifts Preston 2s out of the relegation zone of Division 5.