Stone 1st X1 travelled to local rivals Little Stoke at the weekend and ended up on the right side of an excellent victory.
Stand in captain James Dawson won the toss and put the home side into bat. Excellent bowling from David Womble soon had the Uttoxeter Road side reeling on 20 for , with great support from Matt Coxon (3 for 17) and Calum Price (2 for 39). Little Stoke were soon restricted to 156 all out. Top scoring for Little Stoke were Richard Adams with 36 and Dan Richardson 34.
In reply, Stone limped to 57 for 4, until Womble showed his metal with a solid 59. Supported by Russ Ballard, with 33, Stone crossed the line for a 5 wicket win. Stone remain 3rd in the Premier table, whereas Little Stoke are in the bottom two.
Here’s the rest of the weekend’s action.
Captain Perry leads from the front
At Stone, the 2nd X1 welcomed Moddershall. Captain Oliver Perry won the toss and elected to field. After a good start, wickets fell at regular intervals and runs were hard to come by.
Moddershall managed 125 for 5 in their 50 overs, Andrew Sheard top scoring with 36. Andy Slee with 2 for 17 was pick of the Stone bowlers. In reply, Perry opened the batting and was undefeated at the end on 60. Ian Banks was also in the runs with 31 as victory was secured for the loss of just 3 wickets.
Michael Perry amongst the runs for the Stone SP 1sts
On a cold and bleak day Neil Podmore’s Stone SP 1st X1 won a thrilling encounter at Oakamoor. Podmore won the toss and asked his hosts to bat. Muhammed Ayub with 90 took the Stone bowling to the sword. His side declared on 187 for 4 leaving their visitors with a challenging total to achieve. Michael Perry with 86, took charge and saw his side to 174 before losing his wicket.
With only 13 runs required a clatter of wickets held supporters from both sides in tension. David Pashley with 40 and Adam Pursell helped Stone over the line to achieve a two wicket victory. In the reverse fixture at Swynnerton, the 2nd X1 were on the receiving end of a 6 wicket defeat.Only Matt Hubbart with 38, Chris Lindop and Ash Jones with two wickets apiece could take much from the afternoon.
Win in the gloom for Stone SP
A buoyant Stone 1st X1 took on neighbours Moddershall in the first round of the Stone Charity Cup.
The visitors to Swynnerton Park, won the toss and chose to bat. Matt Coxon soon had the Moddershall batsmen in trouble and captured 6 wickets for 8 runs in his spell of 5 overs. Russ Ballard chipped in with a couple, George Hawbrook one and a direct hit run out. Moddershall were reduced to 65 all out, Chris Plant top scoring with 37.
As the light faded fast, Stone openers, Luke Cheadle and James Dawson helped their side to victory for a single loss. Stone now play Caverswall in the second round.
Woe for Wombourne
On Sunday, Stone welcomed Wombourne in the first round of the Kingfisher ECB Club Championship. Wombourne won the toss and put Stone into bat.
Wickets fell at regular intervals with only Luke Cheadle looking settled for his 30. At 97 for 7 a respectable score looked distant. An unbroken 65 run partnership between Matt Coxon (42) and Liam Hickey (24) ensured Stone reached a respectable 162
In reply, Andrew Winfield struck early to give Stone hope.
The Stone bowlers were on fire and wickets tumbled at regular intervals. Wombourne were removed for 101 in the 28th over and Stone win a place in the second round against Wolverhampton. Wickets were shared around, 2 for Winfield, Hawbrook and Ballard; with James Ecclestone the pick with 3 for 20
This Saturday, Stone welcome Longton to Lichfield Road and the Stone SP 1st X1 host Crewe at Swynnerton Park.
