Stratford blow away Rugby to maintain unbeaten start to new Warwickshire Premier Division season

Warwickshire League, Premier Division

Stratford 200-7

Rugby 56 all out

Stratford won by 144 runs

STYLISH Stratford skittled out opponents Rugby for a paltry 56 on Saturday to claim an emphatic 144-run success, which maintained their unblemished start to the new Warwickshire Premier Division season.

The Panthers got off to a fairly slow start when openers Dexter Purser and Gareth Langman were dismissed early on by Lee Golding (2-38) and Matthew Ewer (1-33) with the score on 32.

Neal McGrath (1-34) dismissed Josh Hickman for single figures and then in-form batsman Luke Nardone was sent back to the pavilion for just 14 by Daanyal Sadiq (1-32) to leave Stratford reeling at 66-4.

George Burford and Josh Colwell set about the recovery, with the pair putting on an impressive 106-run stand before the former was removed by Owen Edwards (2-24) just six runs short of his half-century.

Colwell was eventually dismissed for a well-worked 88 as Stratford closed their innings on 200-7.

Rugby’s reply was short-lived as Stratford ripped through their top, middle and lower orders to skittle the hosts out for a lowly 56 in the 34th over.

Only Edwards (14) and Michael Hughes (12) were able to break into double figures for Rugby as they struggled against the accurate Stratford bowling attack.

Mike Brown led the way with a fine return of 4-21 from his nine overs, while James Urquhart was just as impressive, bagging 3-3 from his 5.2 overs, including three maidens.

Tom Grundy, Archie Walker and Colwell picked up a wicket each as Stratford came away with the maximum 24 points for their emphatic 144-run success.

Stratford will be looking to make it three wins out of three this Saturday when Bedworth visit Swans Nest Lane.

See this week's Herald for skipper Dexter Purser's thoughts on making Swans Nest Lane a fortress