Warwickshire & West Midlands Sport

Stockton suffer away day defeat

STOCKTON fell to a low scoring 17-run defeat at Ansley Sports in Warwickshire League Division One on Saturday.
With most matches in the league falling victim to the rain it was a good chance for Stockton to steal a march on a number of sides by picking up a healthy points return. But as it turned out they picked up just four, the same amount they would have received had the game been abandoned.
Early rain reduced the game to 35-overs a side and Ansley chose to bat first despite the bowler friendly conditions.
Tom Boyd and Mark Beet got their side off to a good start, adding 44 for the first wicket, before captain Owen Edwards introduced himself to that attack.
He removed Boyd (39), Carl Copson (0) and the dangerous Adshan Sayed (12) in quick succession before Ajay Patdiwala further turned the screw.
In horrible conditions the bowlers were well supported by the fielders who held their catches all afternoon, as only Brendon Morgan (18) offered any further resistance.
Patdiwala span his way through the middle order before Lee Golding and Ed Russell returned to claim the last two wickets.
Patdiwala and Edwards both returned 4-33 from ten overs as Ansley were bowled out for 112.
Stockton’s reply got off to a terrible start, losing a wicket in the first over and they were soon reduced to 12-2.
Greg Campbell (16) and Patdiwala (22) rebuilt the innings and Stockton were well placed at 53-3 to overhaul such a small total.
However, a scary moment for both sides saw Golding retire hurt having been struck flush on the head by a bouncer and a visibly rocked Stockton collapsed.
Three wickets fell without the addition of a run with Boyd bowling a magnificent spell of 5-18 from his 11 over allocation.
Russell (18) gave Stockton some hope but when he was caught at slip off Morgan (4-22) Stockton were 86-9.
A brave effort from Golding saw him return to the crease, despite later being diagnosed with severe concussion, as he and Jake Hooker tried in vain to get Stockton over the line.
However, the final wicket fell on 95 to give the hosts victory by 17 runs.
Fortunately for Stockton, only one other match in the division was played, and they still sit in joint second ahead of Saturday’s first home game against North Warwickshire.

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