Weekend Roundup 19/20th August
Preston First’s recorded a brilliant victory against close rivals St Albans in the Championship winning by 5 wickets. On winning the all important toss St Albans elected to bat with middle order Regan (62) and O’Toole (57) pushing the St Albans total to 230/6 off 50 overs. Dan Scholz being the pick of the Preston attack picking up 3/51 off his 10 overs. Preston’s chase went off well with opener Ed Wharton falling for 46 and No 3 Phil Simpson batted well for a well made 33 but it was Scholzy – continuing his run of recent form with the bat – that took the game away from St Albans with a brilliant 92 not out alongside Jack Stevens who made a late run a ball 32 not out at No.7. It’s not over yet but this win has really helped Preston’s fight in the Championship division for the 2023 season.
A depleted Preston Second’s brought home an amazing win against North Mymms in Div 5A to win by 39 runs. Once again Skipper Fleckers won the toss and elected to bat but were soon in trouble with opener Hearne back in the pavilion from the first delivery. No 4 Jack Morecroft made a patient and well made 32 before being dismissed off a brilliant reaction caught and bowled. Young Luke Ponder also took the game to Mymms scoring a well made and attacking 40 at No 6 before being adjudged LBW. Fleckney hit a bullying 27 to take the Preston innings to a below par 158/8 off their 50. In reply, the Preston bowled accurately without much reward but it was the introduction of slow bowler Arif Islam that swung the game in Preston’s favour; taking 7/50 off an inspired spell where Mymms just couldn’t get on top with catches being taken and wickets falling every over. Mymms were dismissed for 119 in the 32nd over where at one time it was looking like a Mymms victory. The win means Preston’s promotion campaign remains alive as we go into the penultimate weekend.
Preston Thirds had another tough weekend losing by four wickets to Old Albanians. OA’s bowled Preston out for 108 in the 33rd over with only Nick Staddon making any serious runs (47). In reply OA’s got over the line in the in the 23rd over making 112/6.
And again, Preston Fourth’s – being the ultimate victim of poor availability this holiday season – saw them go down by 7 wickets against table toppers Tewin. The league leaders bowled first and reduced Preston to 99/9 off 40 overs. Preston’s Garnham making a fist of it opening making 35 before being bowled. In reply, Tewin won in the 26th over making 100/3. Skipper Dan Phillips taking the two wickets.
Preston’s Sunday 1’s scored a great win against Southill Park in the Sunday Beds League. Park took first knock on winning the toss but were reduced to 161 in the 33rd over. BA Gallimore taking 3/25, young Arundeep Natt 2/47 and Muzza Murrell taking 3/43. Preston made the total for the loss of only one wicket with Ed Wharton crashing 58 not out, George Biggs 62 and Dan Scholz, a not out 28.