Bowlers to blame as Stratford are sunk

STRATFORD skipper Mike Brown has blamed a poor bowling performance for their loss against Newport on Saturday.

The Panthers slipped back into the Biringham League Division Three relegation zone after a four-wicket defeat at Swans Nest Lane.

After finishing on 144-9, Stratford looked firm favourites when they reduced the visitors to 15-4, but Maz Jafri (84no) then took centre stage as he handed Newport a vital win.

“It was our bowling performance that ultimately let us down,” said Brown.

“From the position we were in, at 15-4, we should have won the game. I don’t want to take anything away from Jaffri though, he looked like he was batting on a different pitch to everyone else.”

Thanks to Friday night’s torrential rain storms finding its way through the covers, it was an all hands to the pump morning to clear the two large wet patches on the wicket.

Despite the grounds team’s best efforts, it was going to be a crucial toss as batting would become easier as the day went on and the wicket dried out.

Typically, the toss went the way of the away side, who asked the Panthers to bat first.

Opening pair Price (17) and Bayliss (38) played carefully and aided by several dropped catches advanced the score to 41 before the first wicket fell.

From there it was difficult for any batsmen to get going with balls misbehaving and the damp outfield not allowing the ball to run away quickly.

Stratford batsmen got in, but never looked comfortable against good Newport bowling, eventually finishing 144-9 from 50 overs. A score that, considering the conditions, could have been worse.

Ten overs into the Newport reply and Stratford had reduced them to 15-4, Brown (3-23) and Sam Douthwaite (1-20) doing the damage.

Stratford were aware that Newport’s Maz Jafri was still at the crease, who earlier in the season had crashed an unbeaten century against them.

Jafri played carefully and, aided by the obdurate Ian Gillespie, slowly batted Stratford out of the game.

The score had advanced to 105 before David Bailey struck twice in an over to give a glimmer of hope. However, Jafri remained calm and struck the winning runs in the 43rd over to finish 84 not out.

Stratford return to action on Saturday when they host Milford Hall, ahead of a crucial clash at Brewood on Bank Holiday Monday.

Stratford: M Brown (c), D Bailey, A Bayliss, C Calcott (wk), P Derrick, S Douthwaite, J Hickman, A Pratley, J Price, R West, C Whelan.