Finlay Connah hat trick hero as twos fight relegation

(Sat 17th Aug 2013)

Preston 2nds fight against relegation continued to gather momentum with their fourth win in five games, this time a comprehensive demolition of Flamstead 1st XI.

Preston’s batsmen struggled to 58 for 4 on a damp wicket, before Callum Blair and skipper Matt Burleigh (51) lifted them to 117 for 7. Casey Walker and Iain Purton then joined forces in a terrific partnership of 91 in just 13 overs to take Preston to 208 for 7, Walker finishing on 61 not out as Flamstead’s bowlers and fielders wilted.

Preston’s bowlers at first failed to capitalise on their batsmen’s efforts as Flamstead passed 50 for the loss of just one wicket. But fast bowler Finlay Connah turned the match on it’s head with three wickets in an over, and Flamstead were suddenly in trouble at 51 for 4. Finding his best form of the season, Connah then took a hat trick, the second in successive weeks for Preston 2s (Pete Murrell took one last week). Murrell finished off the Flamstead innings at 97 all out, but Connah was the hero with outstanding figures of 7 for 50. However, Preston 2s remain just 4 points above the relegation zone and need to maintain their form and confidence over the last three weeks of the season.