Weekend Roundup – July 27/28
A better week for the club.
Preston couldn’t winkle the last wicket in the local derby Championship clash on Saturday against Letchworth CC but came away with a dominant draw. Letchworth bowled first on their home wicket but Preston’s opening pair of Wharton (68) and James Stevens (54) put on a stand of 93 before Wharton fell. It was also brother Dr Jack Stevens who gave the Preston innings middle order impetus and put together a brilliant knock of 78 at No 5. With the rest of the Preston batsmen chipping in valuable runs Preston finished on 283 for 7. Letchworth’s Albon claimed 4/63 off 17 overs. In reply, Letchworth’s David Sprittles made a decent 95 before Murrell had him caught by Powick. Sam Kendle made 45 lower down supported by Albon (32) but the rest of the Letchworth innings failed to fire. Despite heavy pressure, Letchworth managed to hold on but the innings closed on 225/8. Frustrating for Preston but a decent result nonetheless to provide valuable points.
Preston Second’s had an excellent game against visitors Northampton Exiles to see Preston win by 52 runs. Preston were given first knock and soon set about their innings with gusto. Openers Peter Gooden and Omar Faleel cracking the Exiles bowling to every corner of the ground. Faleel made a feisty 41 before being caught but it was Preston’s Gooden who made a quality century (117) before finally falling to Exiles’ James LBW. A superb knock. Two more 50’s were to come with Jack Morecroft making a decent 57 and an aggressive 50 not out from Daniel Plumb meant Preston were able to post a formidable 286/4 off their 50 overs. Exiles set about the chase very positively with all too frequent loose balls being dispatched. Raja made 46 before falling to Waters but Mike Bullard in at No 3 made a sensible and patient 71 before being snagged by Preston Skipper David Fleckney. Shamim also played well making 38 before being cleaned up by Gallimore who claimed 4/55 and supported by Faleel with the ball who took home 3/27. A sensible and positive chase from Exiles but the final wickets fell too cheaply and Exiled closed out on 234 all out in a decent game of cricket in Div 4B.
Preston Thirds also claimed 30 points against Hemel Thirds to win by 58 runs. Preston elected to bat and built an innings of 167/9 in the full 40 overs. The highlight of the innings was a brilliant 56 not out from young Will McIntosh in only his third game for Preston who impressed with a mature and sensible innings to create the backbone of the Preston innings. In reply, Hemel could only muster 109 all out in the 36th over. Preston’s Iain Purton claiming 3/25 off 8. A great win for the Thirds and 30 much needed and valuable points.
And Preston Fourths also claimed the double against Stevenage 5ths by a 2 wicket win. Stevenage elected to bat but could only build an innings of 106 all out. The Preston dangerman was the evergreen Co-Chairman of Preston, Andy Riant claimed 5/10 of 8 very tight overs supported by wickets from Tompkins, Natt, Beattie and Nanjundan. Only Stevenage’s Bansal showed resistance reaching 35 before Riant claimed his wicket. In a tight game, Preston reached 108/8 in the 36th over with some accurate bowling from Stevenage claiming regular wickets but they all did just enough to get Preston over the line.
On Sunday, Preston had a break from Beds League commitments but that presented another opportunity to field a Development X1 v Henlow Blues who won by 4 wickets. As always, it was about bringing through some of the developing players from the junior club and they all did brilliantly. Preston took the first knock and reached 142/9. In reply, Blues reached 146/6 but what was impressive was the way the young Preston bowlers – several of whom had never played a senior game – went about their business. Arundeep Natt taking 2/14, Eoin Doyle taking 1/22 and Stanley Buckland taking 2/34. All these young players picked up wickets with excellent bowling, fielded superbly and took great catches. The Preston senior players managed their game in a nurturing and supportive environment which hopefully gave these future stars a taste of things to come.