Turl is simply unstoppable in dual test (From Gazette Series)

Turl is simply unstoppable in dual test

Cheltenham Civil Service v Stone 1st XI

ON a windy Saturday afternoon Stone travelled to Cheltenham Civil Service hoping to get their season off to a good start. Captain Hall lost the toss and Stone were asked to bat.

Stone made a steady start with openers Lavis and Turl keeping the board ticking. They got to 34 when Lavis was caught at slip for just seven.

That brought Booth to the crease and he and Turl formed a superb partnership. They put on 128 together, both getting their 50s. Booth was eventually out for 76 caught at midwicket.

This brought the aggressive Jones to the crease and he didn't let Stone down, scoring 38 off 30 balls including three sixes. Turl got his 100 with a few overs to spare with Stone closing the innings on 252 for three.

After a light tea Stone went out to field and hoped to get early wickets. The wickets didn't come and Civil Service were 100 for no wicket in the 23rd over.

But Civil Service then collapsed, by the 31st over they were 110 for six thanks to a good spell of bowling by Pete Lavis who finished with figures of 10-4-23-5. Skipper Hall grabbed the other wicket. Civil Service eventually closed on 159 for six.

A great start for Stone and they will be looking for another win on Saturday when they entertain Birdlip at Swanley.

Village Knockout

Stone 1st XI v Fairford

AFTER a great win the day before Stone were on a high and they made light work of Fairford. Stone won the toss and elected to bat. Stone were yet again in top form with the bat making 246 for two off their 40 overs, Darren Turl scoring his 50th competitive 100, ending up 124 not out. Pete Lavis supported him well with 87 and a late flourish from Pete Booth (19).

After the tea interval Fairford only managed 116 for eight thanks to a good spell from skipper Hall (9-2-23-3) and a great team effort in the field.