JULIAN Cheetham didn't stand on ceremony much to Runcorn's regret after arriving at Moughland Lane half an hour late.
After winning the toss, fifth-placed Prestbury spent the first half-hour with 10 men in the field but Cheetham certainly made up for lost time in the Meller Braggins Cheshire League Division One match.
The star batsman, who had been delayed en route from Cheltenham, smashed a magnificent 89 70 of them in boundaries to effectively win the match for the visitors.
Cheetham had reached 50 before his fellow opener had got off the mark and shared in a first-wicket stand of 74.
By the time he was out, the score was 119-2 and Prestbury were well on course to overhaul their hosts 183-7 dec.
Runcorn had withstood a hostile start from the visitors pacey bowling attack with home skipper Jim Morrell (54) and Steve Bebbington (41) putting on 69 at the start, despite an initially damp and lively wicket.
A bit of a stutter saw further wickets go down at 82 and 92, preventing Runcorn from really accelerating in the middle or -der although Steve Ollerenshaw (22no) and Jem King (16no) put on 40 in the last four overs.
Runcorn never recovered from that early punishment at Cheetham s hands although Steve Foster chipped in with 3-33 as Prestbury lost wickets three, four, five and six for just 30 runs. However, the seventh-wicket pair saw them home at 185-6.
