Whitting in wickets as Stratford are made to work hard for victory

STRATFORD were made to work hard for their two-wicket victory over Lichfield on bank holiday Monday, despite removing the home side for 86.

Tom Whitting took four for 18 for the Panthers, but a devastating spell of seven for 30 from James Wilkinson reduced the former Premier Division champions to 64 for eight.

When his ten-over spell was over, the Stratford tail wagged hard enough to see them to victory without further loss.

On Saturday, Chris Whelan's men suffered a disappointing two-wicket defeat to struggling Milford Hall at Swan's Nest Lane.

At 33 for seven, in reply to Stratford-upon-Avon’s 146 for six, from 34 overs, the game looked as though it had gone for Milford Hall, but an unbeaten 64 from skipper Kevin Royce and 34 from Chris Dean saw the Staffordshire club to victory.

They put on 93 for the eighth wicket after a superb opening spell from Archie Walker had realised the figures of five for 23. Dexter Purser hit 52 for Stratford, while Mark Thompson picked up three for 14 for Milford.