Stand claim derby bragging rights (From Prestwich and Whitefield Guide)

Stand claim derby bragging rights

4:38pm Wednesday 2nd September 2009

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STAND claimed the Foster Hegg memorial trophy with a 22-run victory over Lancashire County League rivals Prestwich at the SCG.

The Whitefield club overcame the disadvantage of the match being reduced to 30 overs as a result of the poor weather with the score 17-1 after 10 overs.

Dave Taylor was run out on 12 as he and Amila Weththasinghe attempted to hit the accelarator. After Stuart Catterall joined him in the middle, Weththasinghe proceeded to construct his best knock of the season, well supported by his partner.

And it was his Sri Lankan counterpart Amal Dalugoda who bore the brunt of the Stand assault as he conceded seven runs an over.

After reaching 33-2 at the halfway point, Stand progressed to a competitive 136-6 with 103 runs coming off 15 overs.

Weththasinghe notched a deserved half century and Catterall supplied a useful 27, but more importantly, the pair stayed together until the 26th over, building a match-winning partnership of 93 for the third wicket from 95 balls.

Wesththasinghe progressed to 73 — a knock which lasted 61 balls and included six fours and three sixes — before he was bowled by Oli Holt.

Prestwich bowler Chris Humphreys finished with impressive figures of 2-24 from seven overs.

Prestwich opener Steve Orrell showed his intent from the start of their innings, hitting the first ball over the infield for a single, and Taylor despatching his to the boundary.

But Weththasinghe and Carl Sutcliffe soon began to hit a decent line and length, making it difficult for the Prestwich duo.

The pair reached 24 in the 10th over before Orrell was bowled by Sutcliffe for 11. That only served to bring Prestwich’s big-hitting dangerman Amal Dalugoda to the crease. He had an immediate impact, increasing the run-rate from three runs per over to four.

Taylor (18) was next to depart as he danced down the track to Sutcliffe, missing the ball to leave Jack Bond with a nonchalant stumping.

While Dalugoda remained in the middle with the versatile Prestwich captain Chris Thomas, the visitors were still in the contest, but with the required run-rate gradually increasing, they had no option but to take risky singles.

Catterall then replaced Sutcliffe and the change paid immediate dividents as the Prestwich pair chanced a quick single to Weththasinghe off Catterall’s first ball, only for the pro to hit stumps with a direct hit, to dismiss Dalugoda.

That all but ended Prestwich’s hopes of winning the game with the score 77-3 and 53 required in just seven overs.

Weththasinghe picked up the wicket of Thomas (13) caught by Stand captain Gary Penchion before the ever reliable Catterall picked up three wickets — including the wicket of Holt, superbly caught by Sutcliffe diving forward at long on — to reduce Prestwich to 114-7 in the last over.

Catterall’s returned figures of 3-13 with Sutcliffe picking up 2-25 from his 10 overs and, although Weththasinghe only picked up one wicket, his knock and match-turning run out were first class and the Foster Hegg Trophy remains at the SCG for another season.

Stand’s second team were well beat at the Heys. After being 70-2 they crumbled to 89 all out and and Prestwich cruised to victory by nine wickets.

On Saturday, Stand seconds are at home against Dukinfield and the first team entertain Glossop on Sunday.

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