Dexter Purser smashes new top score of 161 not out in Stratford's draw with Bedworth

Warwickshire League, Premier Division

Stratford 245-3

Bedworth 141-5

Winning draw for Stratford

SKIPPER Dexter Purser smashed a new personal top score of 161 not out as Stratford maintained their unbeaten start to the new season with a winning draw against Bedworth at Swans Nest Lane on Saturday.

The Panthers were put into bat after losing the toss and had just 20 runs on the board when Gareth Langman was clean bowled by Josh Thomas for just six.

George Burford joined Purser at the crease and the pair put on an impressive 119-run stand before the former was removed by Ashley Cutts for a hard-earned 31.

Purser continued to set the tone for the hosts and formed another solid partnership with Josh Hickman (24) to take the score to 230 before the latter was run out.

Luke Nardone joined Purser at the crease but didn’t register a run as the Stratford skipper continued with his fine display, smashing an unbeaten 161 from 131 balls to guide his side to an imposing 245-3.

During the course of his long stay at the crease, Purser hit 17 boundaries and two maximums to eclipse his previous top score of 117no which he knocked against Streetly 2nds in a Birmingham League Division Two Second XI (South) clash back in 2017.

In reply, Bedworth looked to be staring down the barrel of defeat after collapsing to 59-4, with Tom Grundy (2-24), Josh Colwell (1-12) and James Urquhart (1-30) taking the early wickets.

Inderpal Nandra and Kyle Taylor set about steadying the ship and managed to put on 74 runs before the latter fell just four short of his half-century, being removed by Luke Nardone (1-15) in the 42nd over.

With Stratford running out of overs, Nandra (26 off 84 balls) and Lewis Noon (7no) plugged away to ensure Bedworth came away with a losing draw.

Fourth-placed Stratford picked up 16 points for the winning draw.

This Saturday the Panthers make the trip to league leaders Walmley who are the only team to have claimed the maximum 24 points from each of their three games so far.