1st XI
The first team game was washed out at Alsager after heavy overnight rain in Cheshire
2nd XI
The seconds continued their struggles with a poor double weekend losing to high flying Sandbach 1sts on Saturday before also losing at Meir Heath on Sunday. Rain affected both games on Saturday Stafford hit 130-6 in 43 overs with Mark Evans 34 and Graham Gillis 46 performing well. Sandbach chased down their target in 22 overs with a couple of overs to spare after all the rain. Stafford picked up 5 wickets on route with Paul Wilkins claiming 4-36 as captain Ross Kesteven 49 and professional Ather Abid 48 got them home. Batting was tricky in wet conditions on Sunday Meir Heath were in trouble at 84-9 as Paul Freeman claimed 3-39 before a last wicket partnership between Craig Bell 42 not out and John Minister 26 not out took them to 139-9 in 50 overs. After yet more heavy rain this proved too much for Stafford’s batting as they were 48 all out. Bilal Iftacar claimed a vital 3-19.
3rd XI
In division 7 the thirds won at Stone SP 4ths at Swynnerton Park as the home side hit 99-6 in a reduced 27 overs. Gareth Jones hit a run a ball 41 and Sean Mason claimed 4-22 for Stafford. Stafford knocked off the target in 20.5 overs as Steve Bennett hit 46 and Mason 23 not out and Bob Masters 19 not out completed the job. This vital win sees Stafford get out of the bottom 2 with one game to play this Saturday at home to Sandbach 2nds.
Academy XI
A good performance by the Academy XI saw them claim a draw at home to Checkley 3rds. The visitors were restricted to 139-6 in 46 overs thanks to Chris Bell 3-29. In the reply in form skipper Ali Martin with 63 not out steered them to draw despite being 9 wickets down. Number 11 Matthew Green crucially stayed with him at the death as they closed on 111-9 in 43 overs.
