Stafford Cricket Club

1st XI

Stafford travelled to Meir Heath and went down by 6 wickets in their penultimate game in division one of the North Staffs and South Cheshire League. Stafford were going ok in the top order thanks to Oliver Stark 40, Dave Foster 50 and professional Omar Ali 39 but a middle order collapse saw them 168 all out. The home side reached their target home skipper Richard Stonier followed up his 4-56 with the ball to hit 55 and Billy Locker hit 56 as Meir Heath closed on 171-4.

Noel Hunt picked up 3-70 for Stafford. Stafford‘s final game of the season is at home at Riverway with a 12-00 start this Saturday v Oulton.

2nd XI

The seconds are also in relegation trouble after they slipped into the bottom two after defeat at home to Meir Heath. The visitors hit 213-5 before Stafford slumped to 110 all out with only Mark Evans 31 and Ravinder Singh 38 contributing well.

3rd XI

Stafford’s thirds travelled to Wooton and Won in a rearranged Stone League fixture on Sunday. Stafford hit 168 with Karl Mason 31 top scoring before Wootton were shot out for 117. Manu Das 3-30 and Noaman Masoud 3-15 were the destroyers

4th XI

Sam Haynes’ five wicket hall saw visitors Norton in Hales 121 all out in this fourth team clash but in reply Stafford were disappointingly 72 all out with Noaman Masoud striking 48 of them at Riverway.

Gaz Fulton

1st XI

Stafford’s fate is almost sealed for this season as they remain in the bottom two after this 7 wicket defeat at home to Leycett. After heavy midweek rain batting was never going to be easy and Stafford lost a crucial toss and were asked to bat. They were beaten by a remarkable performance by visiting professional and Pakistan Test Star Muhammed Khalil he took 8-26 with his left arm pace to dismiss the home side for 69. In reply Stafford took 3 early wickets before Khalil came in and smashed an unbeaten 30 in only 8 balls to seal the victory. Stafford face leaders Leek at Riverway this Saturday with a 12-30pm start.

2nd XI

The seconds also lost in a low scoring game bowled out for 58 in wet conditions with skipper Mark Evans top scoring with 23. In reply Leycett were in trouble at 31-5 but further rain made bowling difficult with the wet ball and they edged home closing on 60-5.

3rd XI

In the Stone league the thirds had a fine double weekend with 2 comfortable victories which sees them race up the table to second place. On Saturday they had a great victory over leaders Aston 1^st XI. Stafford batted well as a team and there were several good contributions in their 204 all out. Openers Noaman Masoud 32 and Mick Seaton 27 lead they way and then Chris Charlesworth 28, Ronnie Alluri 31 and James Wild 24 all chipped in. Former Stafford first team captain Richard Waterhouse finished with 6-70 for the visitors. In reply Alluri was amongst the wickets with 5-27 as Aston were shot out for 122.

Sunday’s victory was even easier as they won by 10 wickets at Norton in Hales. The home side were 33 all out Alluri 4-8 and Manu Das 4-9 the destroyers before opener Noaman Masoud 28 not out finished the job as Stafford closed on 34-0.    

 Gaz Fulton

This years President’s day will be held on Sunday 22^nd August 2010 with the first XI playing the Presidents Select XI. As well as the cricket match the club will be holding a reunion for all past members. We are looking for as many members as possible to come and see the ground re-development, watch some cricket and take some refreshments. Please spread the word to as many current and ex members as possible so that we can have a day to remember.

Please Contact Guy Seaton for further info Tel: 07710 898361

1st XI

Stafford faced a crucial bottom of the table clash with Rode Park and Lawton at home at Riverway and they came away with a winning draw. The result didn’t do either side any favours really as they still remain 39 points from safety with 5 games to go in the North Staffs and South Cheshire Division One. Stafford batted first and did well to post a decent total of 217-8 from their 55 overs. Opener Oliver Stark got them off to a good start with a composed 54 and then the middle order all chipped in with important contributions. Professional Omar Ali hit 31, Guy Seaton 38 and skipper Mark Smallman 27. Visiting skipper Jonathan Gallimore bowled well to claim 4-64 and he must have been happy as in reply his side were 167-1 and looking on course for a comfortable victory thanks to Alex Perry 75 and Neil Chadwick 74. Some quick wickets and an inspired spell of 4-31 from Smallman suddenly changed things and the visitors lost 8 wickets and strangely ended up batting out for draw closing on 209-8 from 57 overs. The didn’t particularly help Stafford that much but the extra bonus points from the winning draw mean they are still in there fighting when they travel to Whitmore this weekend.  

2nd XI

Stafford’s seconds picked up their second successive victory to take them into a comfortable mid table position. They travelled to Rode Park and after a rain delay asked the home side to bat after winning the toss. The wicket was wet and slow and difficult to get away so Stafford restricted them to 130-9 form 44 overs. It was ideal conditions for slow seamer Sean Connolly 4-39 and spinner Paul Wilkins 3-35. In reply Stafford did lose 6 wickets but most batsmen contributed before Chris Dobson steered them home to victory with a cool 31 not out. Stafford are at home to Whitmore this Saturday with a 1-30pm Start at Riverway.

3rd XI

In the Stone league Division One Stafford’s thirds lost by 4 wickets on their trip to Keele Park. They were bowled out for 102 with Noaman Masoud top scoring with an aggressive 58. The home side reached their target losing 6 wickets on route as Adam Wilton 60 not out secured them the win.

4th XI

There was a high scoring game at Riverway for the fourths against top of the table Ashcombe Park and the young side did well to hang on for a creditable draw. The visitors hit 260-9 from 50 overs with Sam Haynes 4-87 the pick of the Stafford attack. Stafford scored well in their reply thanks to Mick Seaton 64 and skipper Bob Singh 44 but they lost wickets and it was left to last pair Ben McCormick and Phil Stacey to keep their cool and steer the ship to safety. Stafford closed on 188-9 from 45 overs.

 Gaz Fulton

Stafford 1^st XI had a return to winning ways with a hard earned two wicket victory at Blythe. After winning the toss Stafford elected to bowl and restricted Blythe’s batsmen on a small ground to 202 all out with Shawn Hunt taking 5-49. There were also two wickets apiece for Noel Hunt and Astif Ali. Martin Bailey (54) and Craig Grimley (38) providing the main runs for Blythe.

In reply Stafford lost wickets at regular intervals until Guy Seaton paired up with skipper Mark Smallman (29) and then Mark Foster (26) to stead the run chase. But once Seaton fell for a well made 77 it was left to the bowling hero Shawn Hunt and Aatif Ali to see Stafford home. 

Stafford remain relegation zone 44 points behind the team above them Whitmore and only a point above Rode Park who they face this weekend.

The 2^nd XI also enjoyed victory over Blythe with a comprehensive 158 run wining margin. Stafford were asked to bat first and made a 206 for 6 declared with Mo Ahmed leading the way with a fine 64 with support from skipper Mark Evans (47),  Paul Wilkins (32) and a quick fire 25 from Craig Mertins.

In reply Blythe had no answer to the pace partnership of Craig Merins and Sunil Rajan who quickly knock over the top five. This left the experienced Sean Connolly to mop up the tail with figures of 5-7.  Blythe were all out for a lowly 48 with only Joel Malkin and Chris Ball reaching double figures.

Stafford 3^rd XI completed a hat trick of victories with a 7 wicket victory over local rivals Church Eaton. Church Eaton were asked to bat first and were restricted to 127 all out with, David Hughes (28) and David Bowers (41) offering the main resistance. Stafford’s main wicket takers were the ever young Neil Cameron 4-35 and Noaman Masound 3-26

In reply skipper Ali Martin lead the way with a fine 64 No with support from Noaman Masound (26) and Eswar Chukeluri (22).

Stafford 4^th XI were unable to make it four wins out of four with a heavy lose away at Aston. Aston won the toss and elected to bat compiling 256 for 9 with former Stafford players Scott Farrington and Richard Waterhouse both scoring in the 70’s. B Evans for Stafford took a well deserved 5-31     

In reply the young Stafford side were bowled out for 65 with only three batsmen making it into double figures.