Stone rolling into title contention (From Gazette Series)

Stone rolling into title contention

NEAR faultless batting and aggressive bowling has seen Stone Cricket Club rise to the top of the first division of the Readers Gloucestershire County League.

The Swanley-based side head rivals Kingsholm by half a point in the averages with just one month of the season left to play.

Stone won their first five games and thrashed then leaders Apperley in June to put themselves truly in the promotion picture.

However, consecutive defeats to local rivals Frampton and then to Kingsholm seemed to burst their bubble.

Three crushing victories against Cheltenham Civil Service, Birdlip and Ruardean Hill have restored Stone to the top of the table though, putting them in pole position for the league title.

The form of opening batsmen Pete Lavis and Darren Turl has had much to do with the club's excellent run.

Equally important has been the club's multi-pronged bowling attack, which could ultimately make the difference as the season reaches its climax.