Weekend Roundup – Aug 17/18th
An emphatic and commanding performance from start to finish saw Preston First X1 smash Dunstable CC in the Championship to win by a massive 215 runs. Preston elected to bat on winning the toss at Dunstable and were in a very destructive mood and left the Dunstable attack to scratch their heads. Batting at No 1 Vice Skipper Ed Wharton clobbered 111 in just 86 balls, including seventeen 4’s and two 6’s. And not to be outdone, Skipper Jake George in at No 3 also brought home a quality, first class hundred making 102 – a large total was certainly on the cards. Justin Powick also made a significant runs, making 84 in at No 4. An extraordinary display from Preston’s top order and the innings closed in a whopping 318/9. In reply, Dunstable barely made any significant dent in the score. Preston’s Australian opener, Jack Bermingham bowled with menace and took home 4/32 off his ten overs and was well supported by Ed Wharton (3/34), Max Anderson (1/19) and Luke Marsden (2/13). Only Dunstable’s Bradley Matthews made any real runs (30) before being caught and bowled by the miserly Marsden. Another huge win for Preston which leaves them 6th in the table as it stands and some strong performances as we go into the final weeks.
Preston Second X1 had a very peculiar game v Stevenage in Div 4B with Preston showing tremendous mettle having been in real trouble and going on to secure a 96 run victory. Preston won the toss and elected to bat but were floundering badly with the top order back in the pavilion and the score reading 36/6. People were making plans for an early finish; changing dinner reservations and planning an early bath generally. Ashley Catlin had other ideas though and played a very gritty and patient innings to start to build things back up and create a total the Preston bowlers could try and defend. Catlin made 38 but with Pete Williamson playing some more expansive shots at the other end; there was some respectability taking shape. The returning Casey Walker at No 9 took over the baton and made a decent 32 not out and the Preston total reached 161/9 off the full 50 overs. With a full crowd at Preston CC, the Preston attack then went about their business. And both Waters and Gallimore were both soon wreaking havoc as Stevenage wickets fell regularly and often with both bowlers swinging the ball hoops and breaching Stevenage’s defence. Waters took home season best figures of 6/24, Gallimore 2/23 and Catlin sneaking 2 wickets for 1 run. A very odd game but played in good spirits from both sides but Preston took home the 30 points and took the side to 5th in the league.
Preston Third X1 regretfully came unstuck against Pinner CC. Preston decided to bat but reached only 143 for the loss of 9 wickets in their 40 overs. Amit Rajani made a typically patient 40 before being caught and Luke Ponder supported with 28 but wickets fell too frequently and opened the door for Pinner who reached the total for the loss of only 5 wickets in the 36th over. Pinner’s Dixit made a solid 50 to bolster the Pinner innings. Preston’s young Will McIntosh bowled well and took home 2/20 and Josh Ashby had figures of 2/2. The loss leaves Preston 7th in Div 8 West.
Preston Fourth X1 also came unstuck against Wheathampstead 3rd X1 losing by 3 wickets in Div 10 North. Preston took first knock and made a healthy 172/8 from their 40 overs. The highlight being young Oscar Dunham Welch making a sensible 39 runs with Dillon Beattie supporting with a decent 27 but wickets fell regularly and no-one else really got going. The Preston bowlers took wickets down and made the going hard for Wheathampstead and the Preston players felt at one stage this could be their day but WCC got over the line making 173/7 in the 39th over.
On Sunday, there was another Preston CC First X1 demolition job in the Beds league with a 130 run victory against Letchworth CC. Preston batted first at Whitethorn Lane and amassed a massive 335/8 off their 40 overs. Wharton (46), Chackraborty (67), Gallimore (27), Faleel (27) all made runs in the top order but it was Aussie Jack Bermingham in at no 7 who scored a destructive 114 on only 35 balls and in only 44 minutes and included 10 fours and 10 sixes! A stunning and powerful knock from Preston’s First X1 opening bowler! In reply, Letwroth made 205 all out with Jackson making a decent 70 but the Preston bowlers picked up regular wickets and brought the win home in the 34th over.