1st XI Saturday
Birmingham League Division Three
Stratford-upon-Avon 198-9
Aston Manor 131 all out
STRATFORD WON BY 67 RUNS

Aston Manor’s hopes of promotion disappeared in controversial circumstances with this unfortunate defeat at Stratford, who now themselves are odds on favourites to take the second promotion spot behind Champions elect C & R Hawkins.

Manor had bowled and fielded well to restrict their high flying opponents to 199-9 from their allotted 50 overs. Yet again left arm spinner James Harris (3-32) was the pick of Manor’s attack, but all of the bowlers deserve credit for an overall fine display. Other wicket takers were Rahul Bakshi (2-39), Shaun Findlay (1-23) and Imran Khan (1-32) with debutant Adam Breakspear and youngster Kieran Carroll also impressing in wicket less spells.

Despite the loss of an early wicket the ever improving Adam Nevitt (21) helped rebuild the innings and with Rahul Bakshi (39) and Shaun Findlay (29) at the crease Manor looked well set for victory at 85-2. Both players were then dismissed by decisions that left them highly aggrieved and which led to a dramatic slump to 131 all out. There are days when circumstances seem to conspire against you, and with five of the top seven batsmen being on the wrong end of LBW decisions and there also being a highly contentious run out, this was definitely one of those days for Aston Manor. That one of these days should happen in such an important fixture was very frustrating, but we are always told that these things even themselves out over a season! There will be quite a few Aston Manor players and supporters not sure whether they believe that to be the case!