Weekend Roundup June 1/2

Preston Firsts put together another emphatic all round performance to defeat Chorleywood CC by six wickets in the Championship. Deciding to take the attack to Chorleywood, Preston’s bowlers soon had Chorleywood under pressure as they saw regular wickets fall before any of the Chorleywood batsmen could gain any momentum with only Thoman (35) and Frais (36) making any sort of score. Wickets were shared by Jack Bermingham (2/22), Omar Faleel (2/25), Luke Mursden (2/26) and Justin Powick (2/15) to see Chorleywood fall for only 150 in the 44th over. In reply, Preston’s top order set about the chase well with openers Wharton making 39 and returning James Stevens making a decent 42 with Powick at no 3 making 44 not out creating the set up for the comprehensive win. A commanding performance from Preston.

Preston Seconds however came unstuck against Hatfield Hyde in Div 4B as Hyde claimed a two wicket win. Batting first, Preston just struggled to get going with only Preston Pete Gooden (42) and Skipper Fleckney (35) finding any sort of fluency. Hyde bowled well and took regular Preston wickets ensuring Preston couldn’t create vital partnerships. Hyde’s bowlers shared the wickets, showing some decent depth to their bowling attack and made use of the Preston wicket. In reply, Preston’s openers of Waters (2/37) and Battersby (2/21) bowled well and took early wickets to see Hyde floundering at 83/5. Scott Davies batted well for a well made 53 to settle the Hyde innings but it was number 9 Ashraf who came off, smashing a powerful 65 that took the game away from Preston.

Preston Thirds suffered a heavy loss against Dunstable CC to see Dunstable win by 88 runs. On winning the toss, Preston took the field but saw Dunstable build a total of 168/4 off 40 overs. In reply, Preston just couldn’t find the spark and the chase fell way short being bowled out for 80 in the 35th over. Only Preston’s Chakraborty made any form of start (29) with Dunstable’s Thaker wreaking the most havoc taking 5/18 in a decent spell.

Preston Fourths also came away second against Welwyn Garden City who claimed the 52 run win. Preston took the field and saw WGC make 170/8 in 40 overs with WGC’s Sathish in at no 3 making 57. Preston’s bowlers all took wickets with young Dillon Beattie returning the best figures of 2/9. Preston started well with the experienced top order of Tennant (20), Garnham (32) and Skipper Phillips (28) all making starts but after WGC claimed their wickets the innings collapsed with Preston reaching 118/7 off the 40 overs.

After the clean sweep last week, back to a bit of a reality check but we go hard again next week.

On Sunday, Preston Firsts were victorious against Letchworth in the Beds league winning by 59 runs. Preston made 227 all out with Wharton leading from the front smashing another explosive century (110) in 61 balls! In reply, Letchworth fell short making 178 all out with Preston bowlers Bermingham taking 2/30, Arif Islam 2/43, young Arundeep Natt 2/38 and Rajani 3/14.

Sunday June 10th, Preston will face Reed CC (again!) in the Voneus Village Cup Regional Final at Preston CC. A big game in the competition and yet again against old friendly rivals Reed CC.