Weekend Roundup 31st Aug / 1st Sept

Preston First X1 had an absolute thriller at Hoddesdon CC that came down to last over in their second encounter in the Championship. The match swung towards both sides over its duration but in the final over Preston held their nerve and bowled with great control to see Preston win by 1 run and complete the double against Hoddy. Hoddesdon won the toss and took the new ball but the Preston top order all came to the party witn James Stevens making a well earned 61. No 3 and Preston Skipper Jake George fell before making another 50 on 47 but it was Justin Powick who bolstered the innings with a decent 77 with the middle and lower order also chipping in valuable runs and Preston reached 290/8 in their full 50. Hoddy set about the chase but Preston made early in-roads taking the early wicket of Dissanayake for 8. Oliver Arkinstall started to create problems however with a sensible knock and made 126 to carry his bat in at No 4. But Hoddy lost wickets around him. A dogged 41 from Munday meant Hoddy needed 10 off the last over which they could quite do and the home side’s innings fell just short on 289/6. All the Preston bowlers played their part but special mention to Preston’s spinner Luke Marsden who proved vital in a clutch, taking miserly figures of 10/4/19/3.

Preston Second X1 were due to be playing Bayford and Hertford CC but BHCC conceded the game and handed 30 points to Preston.

Preston Third X1 won a decent game v Radlett 4’s. Preston won the toss and elected to bat and finished their innings on a demanding 257/3 with 72 for Skipper Nic Staddon and 86 for James Battersby. The Preston bowlers soon got amongst the wickets and Radlett closed on 151, way short of Preston’s total and a handy 30 points to Preston.

Preston Fourth X1 came unstuck against a strong Hitchin side who batted first and reached 225/6 off their 40 overs and won by a handsome 108 runs. Hitchin’s Gwinnett fell for 99 LBW to Preston’s Riant. Preston’s main wicket takers were Riant himself 2/50 and young Arundeep Natt 2/32. In reply, none of the Preston innings could really get going with Craig Tennat top scoring with 26 before being bowled by Bell.

After a washed out Saturday previously, Preston hosted their Annual 6 a side day on the Bank Holiday Sunday. A brilliant day and excellent to see many of the club in attendance and generously supported by club sponsors Future Automation and Anglian Country Inns.