1st XI
Heavy overnight rain made batting very difficult in a low scoring affair at Riverway in division two as Stafford managed a 3 wicket win batting second against bottom side Rode Park and Lawton. The home side won a vital toss in seam friendly conditions and Osama Alam 7-31 and Graham Beardmore 3-15 soon got to work as they dismissed the visitors for only 49. Jonathan Gallimore top scored with 18. Conditions hadn’t really dried out in the reply and Stafford also struggled against Andrew Marshall 3-18 and Jalat Khan 3-14. Luke Morien’s 21 batting at five proved crucial and Alam also got double figures before Stafford finally got over the line in 23.5 overs closing on 50-7. Stafford remain in a mid-table slot as they travel to Barlaston on Saturday.
2nd XI
The seconds travelled to Audley in Division four and dominated the game coming away with a winning draw. Stafford hit 198-8 in their 50 overs batting first. Opener Dave Cartlidge hit a composed 69 as several others chipped in, notably Martin Brazier 25 and Craig Mertins 28. In reply Audley skipper James Rodgers hit 42 as Stafford took regular wickets. Paul Freeman 3-35 was the pick of the attack. Stafford took 8 wickets but Matthew Hammersley 35 not out steered them to safety closing on 140-8. Stafford entertain Newcastle and Hartshill at Riverway this Saturday with a 1-30pm start.
3rd XI
Stafford thirds in Division 7 also had a low scoring game at home to Norton in Hales in tricky batting conditions. They lost by 5 wickets after losing the toss and batting first. Stafford were 74 all out as Paul Evans and Matt Riley took 3 wickets each. Stand in skipper Chris Charlesworth top scored with a fluent 18 not out. Stafford did pick up 5 wickets in the reply as Sean Mason took 3-5 but the visitors got home inside 23 overs. Rob Leighton top scored with 36.
Academy XI
The Academy XI restricted Newcastle and Hartshill fourths to 165-4 in their Division 8 clash away from home.. Skipper Steve Kessell hit 40. Stafford were then 70 all out in reply . Skipper Ali Martin top scored with 30 as Kessel won the battle of the captains to claim 5-20 and see his side win by 95 runs.
Gaz Fulton
