Stratford slump to third straight defeat

STRATFORD slipped into the Birmingham Premier League Division Three relegation zone following a 179-run defeat at Streetly on Saturday.

Three weeks ago, the Panthers were challenging at the top of the table, but three successive defeats has seen them sink to fourth from bottom.

The home side smashed 304-8 with 100 from Imran Qadir and 46 from Sean Dunne.

Opener Charlie Blake hit 43 for Stratford, but he received little support as Sagar Mangalorkar (5-41) and Steve Hinton (3-45) saw them off for 125.

Stratford return to action this Saturday with a home match against struggling Worcester Nomads.

There was better news for Stratford 2nds, who thrashed Streetly 2nds by 119 runs at Swan’s Nest Lane to move up to fourth in the 2nd XI table.

Dexter Purser (51), Gareth Langman (45) and Will Noble (63) led Stratford to 232, before the home side skittled Streetly out for just 113. Ben Pigott (3-21) was the pick of the bowlers.

Full reports and reaction in next week's Herald.