Stone Cricket Club’s Swynnerton-based sides took the honours against Leek and Moorlands last weekend.
The Stone SP 1st X1 visited the Cheddleton Oval and were asked to bat by their hosts. They reached 242 for 6 before declaring in the 50th over. Leading the way with the runs were opener Dan Lunn (84) and Shafique Hussain (61). Richard Whitehead (33) also played an important role in an 87 opening partnership with Lunn.
In reply, Leek and Moorlands, chased well but fell 37 short. Adam Pursell (3 for 59) was pick of the bowlers with Oliver Perry, Wasim Khan, and Jack Winfield picking up two apiece. Twenty-five well earned points sees them move up to 7th in the league.
At Swynnerton, the Stone SP 2nd X1 also batted first and posted 202 for the loss of 7 wickets before declaring. Chris Lindop (67) and Mickey Chandler (37) led the way with the bat. In reply, their visitors were dismissed for 147, Lindop chipping in with 3 for 47 and Chandler 2 for 28. Another good win.
This weekend both sides play Hanford, the 1st X1 at home at Swynnerton.
For Stone 1st X1 a Jim Dawson century was not enough for them to avoid defeat to Festival Park side Burslem. Stone reached 208 thanks to 108 to Dawson, but it never looked enough on a warm, dry day and no other batsmen were able to support Dawson for long.
In reply, Burslem got off to a quiet start but an 85 run, 6th wicket partnership between Joshua Pieters (49) and Michael Brown (34) was enough to see them home with two balls to spare.
At Burlsem in the reverse fixture, Stone 2nd X1 took to the field first and restricted Burslem to 187 for 7. Matthew Stupples with 3 for 26 and Lee James 2 for 37 were best with the ball. In reply, Stone always looked in control but a loss of regular wickets saw them fall 10 runs short. Declan Wardell 32, Stupples 47 and James 35 were amongst the runs
This weekend, Stone 1st X1 travel to newly promoted Whitmore in search of a much needed win, while the 2nd team play the same opposition at home.
Not so good news in the cup competitions, though, as Stone 1st X1 were dumped out of the Talbot Cup by Caverswall last weekend, with a poor batting display central to the defeat.
The visitors to Lichfield Road batted first and were restricted to 155 all out – Adam Pursell with 3 for 22 and Matt Coxon 3 for 35 were the leading wicket takers.
In the reply, Stone lost early wickets with none of the batsmen able to dig in. Dries Nell (26) and Ollie Perry (27) steadied the innings, then George Hawbrook with a not out 37 gave them hope of victory. With 8 runs needed off the last over, Stone fell 6 runs short, adding more to their league woes.
For Caverswall Chris Dyer captured 5 for 26.
In the Talbot Shield at Barlaston the Stone SP 2nd X1 had a torrid time, dismissed for 85. Three wickets apiece for Leigh Matthews and Mason Bromley. Nathan Bennett with 19 was top scorer for Stone. Barlaston made light work of the reply, knocking the runs off for the loss of just two wickets.
On Sunday 16th June it is 20:20 day at Stone, with a triangular tournament with Knypersley and Longton.
In the Phoenix League, Stone continued their good run by inflicting defeat on local rivals Little Stoke. Little Stoke batted first and reached 83 all out, thanks in the main to a rear guard defence from Josh Renshaw (29) and Alex Kay (16). Adam Pursell collected 3 wickets for 16. In reply, Stone lost just one wicket. Russ Ballard (32), James Sutton (18) and Jack Bamford (27) were amongst the runs. This week, they play Hem Heath as they strive to retain their table-topping position.
