Stone 1st X1 got back to winning ways with a convincing win over league strugglers Elworth last weekend.
Stone won the toss and put their visitors into bat and, despite an opening partnership of 34, Elworth wickets soon fell at regular intervals. Dries Nell with 5 for 35 was pick of the Stone bowlers and Elworth were dismissed for 125 in the 52nd over.
In-form Luke Cheadle with 73 shared an opening stand of 90 with Jim Dawson, who weighed in with 56. Stone cruised to victory in the 24th over and collected 20 valuable points, climbing to sixth in the table.
They face a tougher challenge this weekend, however – a visit to league leaders Checkley.
The Stone SP 1sts enjoyed a thrilling victory away to Oakamoor, meanwhile. Put into bat, Stone’s Richard Whitehead raced to 77 off 70 balls, and 38 from David Pashley and 61 from Neil Podmore helped them post a total of 243. In reply, Oakamoor fell agonisingly short on 233. Stone’s young bowling attack certainly did the business, with Adam Pursell (4 for 87) and Jack Winfield (4 for 60) leading the way. A 25-point victory takes them up to fifth in the Division 3 table.
Both second teams had less fortune, with the Stone 2nd X1 defeated by Elworth and Stone SP 1st X1 outclassed by Weston. Elworth with 217 posted a solid target, with Lee James (4 for 30) pick of the bowlers for Stone. In reply, though, only skipper Ollie Perry with a stylish 67 put up any real fight.
At Swynnerton, Stone welcomed Weston, whose batsmen feasted off the home side’s bowling. Jacob Harvey with 171 led the way. In reply, none of the Stone batsmen settled and were skittled for a lowly 76.
