Skipper Hickman hails 'best performance of the season'

STRATFORD 2nds skipper Josh Hickman was a happy man after his team produced their best performance of the season to defeat Stourbridge 2nds on Saturday.

The Panthers bowled and fielded exceptionally well to restrict Stour to 220-6, on what was a very good deck with a short boundary on one side.

Despite not taking early wickets, Stratford managed to squeeze the line out of the innings with some tight bowling and the home side found it difficult to catch up in the latter overs, with the new batsmen struggling to get in and score quickly.

Stratford’s run chase got off to a fast start, despite the loss of two early wickets.

Gareth Langman and Charlie Blake led the way with the bat, taking the game away from Stourbridge with a positive and fluent 200-run partnership.

Langman finished on 98 not out, agonisingly two runs short of his maiden Birmingham League century, while Blake rattled up 93.

“It was a great all-round performance and it was the best win of the season by far,” said Hickman.

“Gareth Langman and Charlie Blake both batted brilliantly for us.

“Hopefully we can take the momentum from this win into the big home match against Pershore this weekend.”

Stratford 2nds return to action on Saturday when they welcome fourth-placed Pershore to Swans Nest Lane.