1st XI
Stafford are still battling despite still being in the relegation spots of Division One of the North Staffs and South Cheshire Cricket League. Playing again with out a professional they lost out narrowly to second placed Sandyford by 3 wickets at Riverway. Stafford batted first on a green wicket and hit 169-9 from their 55 overs. Opener Joe Askey again showed his consistency with 31 before Skipper Mark Smallman hit an aggressive 48. Sandyford’s professional Sohail Rauf picked up 4-40 and stopped Stafford’s impetuous in the lower order. In reply the visitors were cruising to victory before paceman Noel Hunt came back for an impressive second spell. He blew away six visiting batsmen for 63 runs but it was slightly too late as Sandyford closed on 173-7. Stafford travel to Blythe this Saturday and then face neighbours Milford Hall in an AK Mid Staffs twenty 20 clash at Riverway on Sunday with a 4pm start.
2nd XI
Stafford’s seconds travelled to Stoke to face Sandyford and picked up a winning draw in a high scoring game. Stafford dominated with the bat hitting 229-8 thanks to the evergreen Ian Young’s composed 86 and he was well supported by a quickfire 58 from Martin Brazier. In reply the home side batted well Craig Mertins 4-63 worked hard for Stafford and they did take 9 wickets but only had a couple of balls at the final pair as Sandyford closed on 212-9. Stafford face Blythe at home this Saturday with a 1-30pm Start at Riverway.
3rd XI
Stafford’s thirds travelled to Sudbury in the Stone league and battled hard to gain a draw after the home side hit 246-8. Manu Das 5-89 was Stafford’s highlight with the ball. Captain Ali Martin lead from the front with a steady 43 to help them comfortably do the job closing on 146-6.
On Sunday the third team faced Aston 1st XI in the final of the Wildblood trophy at Riverway. It was an entertaining game for the spectators as Aston hit 198 all out from 39.2 overs. Former Stafford openers Graham Gillis 44 and Scott Farrington 37 got them off to a good start before being pegged back by Neil Cameron 3-31 and Oliver Harris 3-16. In reply Noaman Masoud got Stafford off to a good start with a fluent 51 before young leg spinner Adam Pursell 6-30 ran through the middle order to win the game for Aston and the man of the match award. Stafford’s thirds’ were bowled out for 154 and former Stafford first team captain Richard Waterhouse lifted the trophy for Aston.
4th XI
The young fourth team faced a strong Leek and Moorlands side at Riverway in the Stone League Division One. The firepower of Richard Gill 3-33 and Gary Nutten 3-17 saw them 85 all out with skipper Bob Singh again top scoring with 24. Paul Nutten’s 49 not out saw the visitors’ comfortably home losing only one wicket on route.
Gaz Fulton
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