Unbeaten Stratford clear at the top

STRATFORD are clear at the top of the Warwickshire League Premier Division after they stretched their unbeaten start to the season with a fourth victory, this time at home to Rugby.

Skipper James Urquhart put the visitors in to bat and his figures of 3-37 helped restrict them to 228/9 from their 50 overs.

A top score of 57 from Cameron Stiles and a seventh-wicket partnership of 108 with Archie Walker then helped the Swans Nest side to 229/6 with three overs in hand.

In Division Three, half-centuries from James McSweeney (89) and Ben Fitzgerald (61) helped Earlswood to a nail-biting win at Birmingham outfit Ambleside.

Dan Empson’s 5-50 and Johangir Khan’s 3-34 restricted the home side to 228 all out with Earlswood reaching 229/8 with just three balls to spare.

Also in Division Three there was a low-scoring win for Studley at home to Stratford 2nds, reaching 113/7 after dismissing their opponents for 111.

Alcester & Ragley won their derby clash with Exhall & Wixford by four wickets in the Premier Division of the Cotswold Hills League thanks to a dazzling display from Australian all-rounder Thomas Kingsley who took 4-32 before hitting an unbeaten 100 off 89 balls.

Tanworth & Camp Hill remain top after they beat Kineton by six wickets, Martin Perfect hitting an unbeaten 61 for the league leaders, while Southam continue to lead the way in Division One after chalking up a third straight win at Ashorne & Moreton Morrell.

See this week’s Herald for a full round-up of the weekend’s cricket.