Stone SP 1sts continued their dismal batting form last weekend, slumping to an 84-run defeat against high-flying Norton in Hales.
The home side batted first and thanks to some largely disciplined bowling on a helpful wicket, were restricted to only 138 off 43 overs with wickets shared between Wasim Khan 5-41, Shaffique Hussain 3-27 and Kiwi Ryan Wall who picked up 2-39. This left Stone 67 overs to churn out a win at just a tad over 2 an over. However in keeping with recent performances they failed miserably, mustering only 54 in 22.4 overs. At one stage they were 29-9 before number 11 Wall smacked a quick 22. The next highest score was eight as opposition quickie Zafir Iqbal picked up seven wickets to destroy an already fragile line-up.
SP play bottom side Oakamoor this weekend and are definitely now looking over their shoulder at them rather than the top of the table.
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Stone SP 2nds had a thoroughly entertaining win against their Norton counterparts in the reverse fixture at Swynnerton. Batting first LeeMcLaughlin’s men built at a steady rate reaching 173 from 5 balls short of their allotted 50 over. 14 year old Ben Shearing top scored with a senior best 44 from 122 balls, assisted by fellow youngsters Aaron Pope again with a senior best 25 and Corey Jones with 22.
In reply the visitors limped to 84-6 thanks to some tight bowling from 15 year old left arm seamer Matt Bailey and the returning Chris Lindop . A recovery though saw 66 added for the 7th wicket and at 150-7 the results could have gone either way, indeed as the final overs approached only 6 runs were required with 2 wickets in hand. Up stepped Sam King to take a wicket with his wily leg spin and then despite other missed chances King clung onto the final chance off Lindop to see Norton fall two runs short of victory off the 2nd ball of the last over to give a young side a much deserved 25 points…Bailey with 3-34 finished with the best figures.
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Stone 2nd XI v Whitmore 2nd XI
Leafy Whitmore was the scene for a return to winning ways for Ian Banks 2nd XI against a Whitmore team decimated by 1st XI call ups and holidaying regulars. Stone too were missing several mainstays but a sprinkling of youth and gnarled veterans managed to eventually see them home!
Batting first Stone rattled up 236 with contributions from nearly every batsman. Jake Powell top scored with 37, whilst Richard Whitehead (36), Neil Podmore(35), Ben King (31) and Ian Sutton (28no) weren’t far behind. Alex Holland lead the way for Whitmore with his 4-71, with Chris Rhodes 2-27 in able support.
In reply the home side were dogged and kept Stone toiling in the sun for 48 overs but eventually succumbed to 116 all out. Ryan Bostock smashed 38 with skipper Jack Armstrong 23 and special mention for Anna Hadley who batted for an hour fending off everything Stone could throw at her. Just like the batting card, the wickets were spread around for Stone, with Rob Pochwyt (2-16), Podmore (2-20) and Max Cuthbert (2-42) all playing their part in a real team performance to secure the precious 25 points.
