Whilst it was three out of four wins for Stone SP sides last weekend, it was more disappointment for the Premier League X1 as they failed to take the last Leek wicket which would have secured victory.
For the Stone SP sides it was wins against Church Eaton.
The Stone SP 1st X1 welcomed the Church Eaton first team to Swynnerton Park. Having won the toss Stone put their visitors into bat. They were restricted to 214 all out, with Adam Pursell picking up 3 for 49, whilst Oliver Perry, Wasim Kham and Jack Winfield each picked up two apiece.
In reply the Stone openers enjoyed an excellent opening partnership between youngsters Will Weston and Dan Lunn. Weston passed his half century but was then defeated on 52, but Dan Lunn remained there till the end, finishing 8 runs shorts of what would have been a quality century. Jason Revill weighed in with 41 to secure a 7 wicket victory.
In the reverse fixture Stone SP 2nd X1 put their hosts into bat and reduced them to a lowly 94. Mickey Chandler with 3 for 12 was the pick of the bowlers, whilst Hylton Bennett and Lee McLauglin also picked up two each. In reply, Tom Chandler 53 and youngster James Pakora (34) made light work of the chase and secured victory without loss in the 17th over.
At Stone, Stone 2nd X1 welcomed Barlaston. Barlaston won the toss and decided to field. A 103 2nd wicket partnership between Richard Whitehead (83) and Ian Banks (82) will have made them regret the decision. Stone continued the run feast, with Chris Banks scoring 30, and declared on 249 for 6. In reply, Barlaston batsmen had no answers and were dismissed well short on 91. Lee James 4 for 23 and Andy Slee 4 for 9 inflicting the damage. The win moving the newly promoted side back up to 2nd in the table.
At Leek, the Stone 1st XI had to settle for a winning draw. Stone were put into bat by Leek and lost Jim Dawson early. Runs from Luke Cheadle (32), Phil Cheadle (67) and skipper Richard Harvey (63) helped them reach a respectable total of 231 for 7 wickets declared.
The Leek innings was a roller coaster, at 16 for 3 they looked in trouble – two for Andrew Winfield and 1 for Dries Nell. A 91 partnership between Alex Thompson (42) and John Potgieter swung the match back in favour of the Leek side, however. A fired up Matt Coxon then chipped in with three wickets and George Hawbrook two to reduce Leek to 9 down with a couple of overs to go. Ross Dearden and Brian Mellor managed to hold on depriving Stone of what would have been a 25 point win
An afternoon that will leave the Lichfield Road side saying “What if?”…
This week Stone 1st XI welcome Burslem, whilst the Stone SP 1st X1 travel to Leek and Moorlands. The second team fixtures are reversed.
