Grand Slam Saturday!
Match reports for Saturday 6th June 2015.
It was “Grand Slam Saturday” for Preston CC as all four sides won their Saracens Herts League fixtures.
Preston 1sts v Holtwhites Trinibis 1sts, SHCL Div 2A
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Looking to build on their recent run of success a buoyed up Preston travelled to Holtwhites Trinibis on Saturday in the 5th round of Div 2A 50/50 matches.
Preston took first knock and openers Warren Hearne and Will Gallimore soon looked very settled. Holtwhites opening bowlers were quickly replaced with bowlers that looked more in control and perhaps purposefully held back. Gallimore went in the 30’s and Hearne was once again annoyed with himself after chasing a wide one and being caught on 49. Jack Stevens, in his first game of the season, failed to capitalise on this occasion but with the bullish Peter Murrell, the belligerent David Fleckney and the dangerous Max Anderson, the Preston innings was once again on sure footing with Murrell reaching 51 fairly quickly. A quick flurry of wickets brought about by Preston trying to race to as many runs as possible saw them finally post 238-7 off their 50 overs.
New ball partners Sam Crea and Mark Waters started well and Crea once again soon proved to be a bit of a handful. A run-out by Crea meant Holtwhites settled opening pair were soon broken and after this Holtwhites never really got their head in front. The pitch offered some movement and the introduction of slow part-time bowler Fleckney and the left arm spin of Anderson soon saw wickets fall at regular intervals. Then, in his second spell, Sam Crea hurried Holtwhites middle-order with a succession of fast yorkers and Preston finished off the Holtwhites innings for just 131. Crea returned figures of 2 for 25, Fleckney 2 for 25, and Anderson 2 for 23.
Preston 2nds v Flamstead 1sts, SHCL Div 5A
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Preston 2nds got back to winning ways with a comprehensive victory at home to Flamstead.
Openers Matt Burleigh and Casey Walker gave Preston an excellent start with a stand of 62 on a good batting wicket. Burleigh went on to make 74 to give Preston’s middle order the platform to push on to a large total. Skipper Ashley Catlin led the way with 50 as Preston racked up 243 for 8 in their 50 overs.
An opening stand of 70, ended by a direct hit run out by Casey Walker, gave Flamstead early hope of a close finish. But after losing their best batsman caught and bowled by Iain Williamson, Flamstead collapsed from 128 for 2 to 166 all out. Williamson finished with figures of 4 for 46.
2nd XI league averages after 5 games
Preston 3rds v Broxbourne 4ths, SHCL Div 10B
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Captain John Garnham (93) and Simon Luxton (50) led Preston 3rds to a fine victory at Broxbourne 4ths. They helped Preston overwhelm Broxbourne’s 181 all out with almost 15 over of the match remaining, for the loss of just two wickets.
Preston 4ths v Wormley 2nds, SHCL Regional Division 2 East
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Preston 4ths played Wormley 2nds on a good track at Hitchin Boys School. The visitors took first knock and posted an impressive 205 for 2 in their 45 overs. But that total was chased down for the loss of 8 wickets thanks mainly to a fantastic innings of 79 not out from Terry Neale. Still, 20 were required from the last two overs, but a 4 and a 6 in the penultimate over by Jason Williamson saw Preston to a memorable victory.
Sunday Chess Valley League Preston 1sts v Bessborough 1sts
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Preston 1sts travelled to Bessborough on Sunday for their first Chess Valley League Div 3 game of the season, and made it 5 wins out of 5 for the weekend with a fine victory.
Batting first on a hard track, Preston managed to make 203 for 7 in their 45 overs against some disciplined Bessborough bowling thanks to the in-form Matt Burleigh (78 not out), Sam Crea (38) and a cameo of boundary hitting in the final overs from Max Anderson.
For long periods Bessborough threatened to chase down the total, but skipper Pete Murrell led Preston’s bowlers and fielders by example with a fine catch and figures of 3 for 17. Left arm spinner Max Anderson’s tight ten over spell helped put the pressure on Bessborough’s batsmen, and Murrell fittingly won the game with a direct hit run out from short cover as the hosts were all out for 174.