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Hard Prest draw

27/ 6/2007

CRICKET: Prestbury 165-8, Davenham 147-4 (Match drawn)

For the second week running, Prestbury had the worst of the conditions, but still managed a creditable draw at home against Davenham.

After losing the toss and being invited to bat first on a sodden track, Prestbury lost two quick wickets before rain made the pitch even trickier.

After losing 20 overs to the weather, Prestbury resumed cautiously after the restart, with Myles Mason and Andy Wright slowly picking up the pace. Mason seemed well set on 36 before his unlucky dismissal, the ball rolling back on to his stumps after a defensive prod.

The good work was carried on in a well worked partnership between Wright and Mark Hope, which lay the foundations for a final assault in the final overs.

An ill-chosen attempted pull off a full-length ball brought Wright's innings to an end on 38 while Hope carried his bat for an unbeaten 44, well supported in the closing overs by Richard Nichols and new-boy Phil Clancy, who each scored 16.

Prestbury used their full 45 overs in reaching 165 for the loss of eight wickets, leaving Davenham the challenge of scoring 166 in the remaining 25 overs.

The Davenham openers started well, but Prestbury were left to rue a missed chance with the dangerous Holden in single figures and, at 60 without loss off 11 overs, an unlikely run chase was looking a distinct possibility.

However, the introduction of Kevin Murray to the attack, helped by a fine catch at point by Richard Nichols, finally gave Prestbury their breakthrough.

Murray continued to trouble the batsmen, picking up regular wickets (one involving a gravity-defying catch by Barnes at slip) and at one stage he had figures of four for 13 off five overs.

With Holden still blasting away, finishing on 94 not out, Prestbury were ultimately pleased that the overs ran out, Davenham ending on 147-4.

Twelve valuable points keep Prestbury in touching distance of the teams above them in the league, and they can take heart from competitive performances in recent weeks, both as individuals and as a team.