Stafford 1st 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 RodePark who they face this weekend.
The 2nd 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 3rd 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 4th 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.
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.
Stafford continue to struggle in the relegation places of Division One and now face an uphill task after this heavy 9 wicket defeat at Betley on Saturday. Stafford had a much weakened batting line up and were missing several key batsmen but did well to reach 188-9 on a green seaming wicket. Number three Dave Foster lead the way with 40 before an aggressive late 40 not out from Jordan Wood gave Stafford a competitive total. The wicket seemed to dry out in the second half of the game and Betley’s professional Jamie Jervis batted superbly to hit 104 not out to steer his side home. Tom Berrisford hit 65 not out in support as they closed on 193-1.
Stafford had an exciting finish on the Sunday in the new AK Mid Staffs 20/20 League. They hosted Cannock and the scores finished level on 132 each but Cannock won by losing less wickets. Joe Askey 56 top scored for Stafford and Michael Talbot 57 not out for Cannock. Will Fleet claimed 5-10 with the ball for Cannock, who hit 3 off the final ball to tie the scores. This Saturday Stafford face second placed Sandyford at home with a 1pm Start at Riverway.
2nd XI
The seconds also suffered a defeat after being dismissed for 140 by Betley at Riverway. Paul Wilkins top scored with 34. In reply the visitors got home narrowly losing 7 wickets on route. Sunil Rajan was impressive with his seamers claiming 5-54 for Stafford.
4th XI
In the Stone league the thirds had no fixture but the young fourths lost at home to Keele Park who hit 241 for 7 with skipper Adam Wilton impressive with 107. Stafford slumped to 56 all out in reply after Daniel Hall’s destructive 6-10.
Its that time of year again when Stafford’s Barmy Army tourists take on the Rest of England’s Barmy Army. These occasions are always good fun and generate a healthy amount of competition between the two sides, The famous Avro trophy being the spoils for the victorious team. It is the 9th year of the competition with the scores level at 4-4!
Stafford’s Barmy Army Tourist’s
v
The Rest of England’s Barmy Army
Friday August 13th 2010 2pm start at Stafford Cricket Club, Riverway, Stafford
In aid of the Leukaemia Research Fund
Also featuring a Barmy Army Colts v Herts CCC under 14’s on
the astro pitch starting at 12 noon
Stafford remain in the bottom two of Division One of the NSSCL after a heavy defeat at Cheadle. To their credit they battled hard and nearly got a draw but lost their final wicket with 2 overs to go. Cheadle batted first hitting 251 for 6 declared with Andrew Shaw hitting 78. The recalled Sean Connolly picked up 4-104 for Stafford in a long spell. In their reply they were eventually dismissed for 149. Top scorers were Joe Askey 27 and Mark Foster 26 in a disappointing effort. Stafford travel to Betley this Saturday hoping for improvements.
2nd XI
The second string also lost out to Cheadle in a close game at Riverway. Skipper Mark Evans led from the front blasting 124, he was ably supported by wicketkeeper Ian Young’s 40 in Stafford’s 235 for 9. Cheadle in reply reached the target in the last over closing on 238 for 4 with Danny Brunt 82 not out the hero. Stafford are in action at home again on Saturday against Betley 1-30pm start at Riverway.
3rd XI
In the stone league Division One Stafford’s thirds dominated on their trip to Oakamoor but has to settle for a winning draw. Batting first Stafford hit an impressive 280-7. Bala Sabapathy 62 top scored and others all chipped in notably Chris Dobson 41, Ryan Angus 39, Iain Atherton 39 and Ritchie Dutta 35. In reply Oakamoor settled for the draw closing on 133-7 Noaman Masoud 3-17 was tidy with the ball for the visitors.
4th XI
At Riverway Stafford’s fourths lost out in a local derby against Church Eaton’s seconds. The visitors hit 229 all out David Halley 53 top scored as Ryan Finlay 4-70 and James Wild 3-18 did well with the ball. Stafford in reply were shot out for 140 by Andy Richards 5-53, Bob Singh and new boy James Graham both hit 34 and Joe Mantle 30 but it was not enough for the home side.
