Stony Stratford fell to a five wicket defeat in an entertaining first game of the season at home to Northamptonshire County Cricket Academy at Ostlers Lane on Saturday. After some impressive performances with both bat and ball against a talented young Academy side, Stony were left to rue five dropped catches which could have made the result very different.
Academy skipper and former Northants keeper David Ripley won the toss and chose to bat on what was an excellent wicket for batting. With the first three overs bringing 25 runs, Stony got off to a quick start but were soon pegged back by a good spell from Academy opening bowler Jack Metcalfe. Nick Allen (7) was the first to go as Olly Stone hung on to a sharp catch in the gully. Metcalfe then accounted for John Lambe, who went leg before for 7, and debutant Garth Davson who was bowled for 5. Stony were wobbling at 36 for 3 which soon became 58 for 4 when Stuart Gulliver was deceived by an off-cutter from Sam Bold and chipped another catch for Stone.
Stony battled back well at this point thanks to contrasting innings from veteran Paul West and keeper batsman Jarrod Pretorius. West resolutely defended against an Academy attack with their tails up, but also latched on to anything loose and put it away. At the other end, Pretorius took the attack to the opposition, particularly the spinners who he hit for five sixes, three of which landed on Queen Eleanor Street adjacent to the ground! The pair put on 63 before West (27) holed out at mid off to a full toss from young leg spinner Jordan Capel, Stone taking his third catch of the day. Pretorius continued and brought up an impressive half century with Simon Myatt adding a quick 22. The Academy were reluctant to see their advantage dwindle away however, and with Myatt dismissed, skipper Steve Bellew (6) and Habib Ullah (6) soon followed. At 173 for 8 and with time and wickets running out, Pretorius tried to push the score on but missed a straight one from Bold and was bowled for an excellent 73. Teenage brothers George and Andrew Humphries then gave the home side a huge lift by adding 37 for the last wicket in five exciting overs at the end to leave Stony with maximum batting points on 232 for 9.
Academy opener Vishal Tripathi played in both of Northants opening county championship games of the season, and his partner Rob Keogh has started in great form for the county 2nd XI so their wickets were always go to be key for both sides. Debutant paceman Habib Ullah bowled with good pace and control and caused trouble for both Academy openers. When Keogh edged Ullah to Simon Myatt’s usually reliable hands at slip, the chance went down and it proved costly with Keogh going on to make an impressive 67. His partner Tripathi, who moved to Northants from Lancashire in the winter was also put down relatively early in his innings and he made Stony pay by really setting up the win for his side as he went on to smash 90 before he was brilliantly run out by Nick Allen from the boundary. At 163 for 2, after only 30 overs, the Academy were well in the ascendancy and looked to be cruising. But Tripathi’s run out inspired Stony to fight back and two more quick wickets followed to give Stony hope. Andy Humphries (2 for 39) bowled an impressive spell of leg spin and as well as getting the wicket of Keogh he bowled William Wright for 2. Ullah (1 for 66) then grabbed the wicket he deserved as Stone was caught by Myatt at slip for a duck. Bellew then had Jacob Bindley caught behind for 7 and at 199 for 5 Stony had battled back hard to have an outside chance. The run rate had dropped right back but Stony dropped three more catches along the way which really killed any chance they had of completing what would have been a great turnaround. The sixth wicket pair of Capel and Akash Shah both played very composed innings to settle any nerves their side might have had. A partnership of 34 saw them over the line and a maximum thirty points from their opening game.
Despite the defeat, there was much to build on for Stony, who face champions Finedon at home next week.
Stony’s 2nd XI got their season off to a winning start as they edged a tight game at Old Northamptonians 3rd XI. The home side batted first and on a very green wicket, they succumbed to 98 all out. There were four wickets for the impressive Chris Guy, who swung and seamed the ball from ball one. He was well supported by Dave Avery and Neil Allen, who both took two wickets each. In reply, Stony lost six wickets of their own before reaching their target. The crucial innings were played by 15 year old Tom Moore and debutant Richard Scott, who finished unbeaten on 39 to see his new side home.
Stony 3rd’s, promoted in each one of the last three seasons got their campaign off to a solid start with a winning draw at home to Rothwell Town 2nd XI. Skipper Andy Preston carried his bat and notched an excellent 105 not out to help his side post a challenging 222 for 3, with youngster Stephen Orchard hitting 55 not out. In reply, Rothwell never attempted to chase the runs down, ending on 115 for 6. There were two wickets each for Oswin Peter and Sam Brightwell.