Weekend Roundup – Aug 3/4th
Preston First X1 went down by five wickets against Chorleywood CC in the Championship. Preston won the toss and elected to bat but were soon reeling as Wharton went very early and the home side found themselves 15-1. Stepping into the opening slot this week George Biggs steadied the ship for a while, making a gritty 45 before being bowled by Chorleywood’s Sutcliffe. But the rest of the Preston innings just didn’t fire with wickets falling all too regularly as the visitors piled on the pressure with the ball. Preston’s innings fell for a meagre, well below par 120. Chorleywood set about the chase in a very determined fashion and made early inroads when Weintrob was trapped LBW for two. But contributions from Dare (43), Smithson (37), and Tipping (21) meant the 120 was reached in 29 overs. A disappointing week and week where a few more points would have been very handy and we can only scratch our heads, dust off and go again next week.
Preston Second X1 had a nailbiter against Hatfield Hyde in Div 4b which saw table toppers Hyde squeak home by 4 runs. Hyde elected to bat but they were soon in trouble as Waters claimed the wicket of Fernando the first ball of the match, caught in the slips by fellow senior Chris Cole. Preston put in one of their better bowling and fielding performances of late and held tough chances and took regular wickets. Hyde’s dangerman Ashraf only managed to smash 43 on this occasion and rather let himself down by disagreeing with the LBW decision rather audibly. Hyde were all out for 185 in the 45th over. Preston’s Omar Faleel caused the most havoc taking home 4/38 off 9.2 overs with Skipper Fleckney in support with 3/29. Hatfield bowled well and varied their pace bowlers with spin regularly and from both ends. The tempers rose steadily throughout the afternoon as Preston, despite losing wickets, were getting nearer and nearer. All the Preston batsmen contributed without anyone making a big score but Fleckney’s patient 32 allowed some flourish and risk taking towards the end of the innings from the likes of Waters (19) and Cole (26). But it came down to needing 5 off the last over and Preston didn’t quite get there.
Preston Third X1 went down by 7 wickets against a strong Dunstable side. Preston won the toss and decided to bat but reached a below par 132/9 in their 40 overs. John Garnham fell for 31 having made a decent start and swing bowler pushed up the order Bhav Patel made a decent 34 and Arif Islam supported with 22. But 132 was always within Dunstabe’s reach and they made it home with the loss of only 3 wickets with all the Dunstable top order making contributory runs and the total was reached in the 34th over.
Preston Fourths also fell short against a strong Welwyn Garden City side. Preston elected to field but WGC were soon getting the upper hand and made 221/5 off their 40 overs. In reply, Preston fell away for 140.
On Sunday, there were no Beds League commitments but the Sunday 2’s played a wandering side Knotty Green CC. The visitors batted first and made a steepling 226/9 off 40 overs. All Preston’s bowlers bowled well with Dillon Beattie taking 2/29, Rajani taking 2/30 and Tom Else 3/15. In reply, Preston’s Skipper Burleigh fell quickly but it was Aussie Rian Brown who made a determined 27, with Rajani making 21, Skipper Ponder 38, young Dillon Beattie made a brilliant 31 alongside Tom Else who made an excellent and rather out of character 43. Preston chased down the daunting total and took home a brilliant 5 wicket win in an excellently played and enjoyable game of cricket where, once again, Preston’s younger players performed brilliantly.