Stratford undone by Standard bowlers
STRATFORD suffered a surprise defeat at Coventry side Standard in the Premier Division of the Warwickshire League, losing by 88 runs after being bowled out for just 138.
But skipper James Urquhart is not about to sound the alarm.
The Stratford captain said: “It’s been a tricky few weeks for us. After starting the season really well, we’ve hit a bit of a poor run of form recently with some bad performances.
“Whilst losing games, especially in succession, is not ideal, we’re still fourth in the league so we really need to take positives from what we’ve done already at the start of the season.
“I always say, winning and losing becomes a habit. Unfortunately, we’re in the wrong one at the moment, but all it will take is a good batting partnership or bowling spell, and I have no doubt we’ll get back to winning ways.
“We have the players and the ability; we just need to get a bit of confidence back in what we do.”
It was hosts Standard who won the toss, elected to bat and were soon in trouble when their two openers were caught behind by keeper Osian Catlin off successive balls with the score on ten.
Two strong partnerships then moved the score on with Bradley Curtis (44) and Thomas Kidd (50) among the runs while James Searle hit an unbeaten 84 to take Standard to 226/8 at the end of their 50 overs.
Of the bowlers, Stratford skipper James Urquhart took 3-47 with the other wickets being shared between the other bowlers - Joe White, Tom Grundy, Archie Walker and Sean Hopwood.
Hopes of victory to keep the Swans Nest side in touch with the league leaders suffered an early blow when lightning struck twice and Stratford’s Gareth Langman and Osian Catlin fell to successive balls with the score on 22, Sri Lankan all-rounder Thilan Prashan doing the damage on his way to 4-27 from ten overs.
John Stratton gave the visitors a boost with his 50 before being trapped lbw by Kidd (4-18) and the only other batsman to offer any resistance was all-rounder White who hit 37 off 45 balls including seven 4s as Stratford were dismissed in the 38th over well short of their target.
Urquhart will be hoping his side can bounce back on Saturday when they head to Rugby - another side below them in the table.
Earlswood and Studley continued their excellent form at the top of Division Three with both picking up victories at the weekend.
Leaders Earlswood romped to a convincing eight wicket win at Fillongley helped by some pin-point bowling and big hitting.
Their opponents elected to bat and were dismissed for 213 with Waqar Mohamed taking 5-43 and Dan Empson 3-33.
It needed just 37 overs for the visitors to hit their target, helped by a second wicket partnership of 127 between Johangir Khan (79) and Harvey Williams (63) with Earlswood finishing on 214/2.
Second-placed Studley beat Aston Manor 2nds by five wickets, reaching 226/5 after seeing off their opponents for 225. Brandon Miller top scored with 61.
Saturday sees Earlswood host fellow high-fliers Ambleside while Studley are away at Stratford 2nds.
