Impressive partnership eases Stratford to convincing win
STRATFORD stormed to a convincing nine-wicket victory over Warwickshire League Premier Division rivals Solihull Municipal thanks to an excellent 197-run second wicket partnership.
Skipper Dexter Purser won the toss, put the visitors into bat and they made steady progress with opener James Roslyn scoring 48, Alex Roslyn adding 57 and Nathan Boyce chipping in with 51 as Solihull reached 235/5 from their 43 overs. Liam Webb was the pick of the wicket-takers with 3-45.
In reply, Gareth Langman scored 34 but that was the only wicket to fall with fellow opener Josh Hickman scoring an unbeaten 82 and Nathan Edwards there at the close on 104 off 83 balls as Stratford soared to 250/1 having been set a revised target of 249.
It was a busy weekend for Studley in Division Two with a match at home to Corley on Saturday and then another at Ward End Unity on bank holiday Monday.
Not that it seemed to affect the Washford Fields side as they chalked up back-to-back wins to boost their chances of avoiding the drop.
Against Corley, skipper Andy Rhodes was the star turn, taking 7-20 from his 12 overs as the visitors were dismissed for just 112. Liam Murphy and Danny Hunt took the other wickets.
In response, opener Murphy then laid the foundations with a knock of 46 with Jack Williams (26no) and Tom Phelan (20no) there to guide Studley to 116/4 and a six-wicket win.
Murphy was back among the wickets on Monday, taking 5-55 as hosts Ward End Unity made 254.
The visitors wasted no time in setting about their target though with opener Chris Perrins scoring 53 before a third-wicket partnership of 124 between Daniel Taylor (92) and Williams (79no) wrapped up the win – the latter’s tally coming off just 56 balls and included 5 sixes.
Also in Division Two, Earlswood drew their rain-affected match with Berkswell 2nds.
Skipper Alex Maud (87), Gary Maynard (51) and Ben Fitzgerald (46no) provided the bulk of the runs in their side’s 252/9 off 50 overs.
Fitzgerald then took 4-30 but the Watery Lane visitors salvaged a draw, reaching 165/9 at the close.
