A much needed victory for Preston firsts at Kings Langley

Preston 1sts v Kings Langley 1sts Herts Div 2 Sat 8th June
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After a disappointing couple of weeks Preston finally got back to winning ways with a superb all round team performance which saw them defeat high flyers Kings Langley by 19 runs.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first on what was a top rate batting wicket Preston made steady progress in reaching 74 for 3 by the 20th over, combating the extremely impressive home speedster Mark Brazier in the process. Opener Chris Cole (31) along with Jack Morecroft (18) laid the initial platform for Preston, allowing the aggressive Will Gallimore (53 in 44 balls) and the ever reliable David Fleckney (75*) to guide them towards maximum batting points. Preston were finally dismissed in the 51st over for a very competitive 207 all out.

The decision to attack the home side with seamer Mark Waters and spinner Andy Riant (23/6/94/5) soon payed off as Waters removed Langley’s opener Piper, as the home side reached 29 for 1 by the 10th over. The introduction of left arm spinner Max Anderson (17.2-2-51-4) who in tandem with Riant built up scoreboard pressure, producing wickets at regular intervals. It was left to Anderson to clean bowl the number 11 and secure a much needed victory for Preston, as King’s were dismissed in the 48th over for 188.