Stone turn the tables (From Gazette Series)

Stone turn the tables

Saturday League

Frampton 2nds v Stone 2nds

A depleted Stone side turned the form book on its head last Saturday as they beat a strong Frampton outfit by five wickets.

A magnificent all-round performance earned maximum points and ended any lingering worries of possible relegation.

Stone fielded first and the home side got off to a slow, tentative start against some excellent bowling from the opening attack of Steve Carter and Glen Moulder. Both openers were out by the 25th over with the total on 81. With the in-form Danny Throup (100) and the powerful Andy Mills (23) at the wicket, Frampton looked well placed to amass a formidable total.

The reintroduction of the luckless Moulder had failed to slow the relentless run scoring so Carter opted for the dual attack of himself and Clarke.

With Frampton on a commanding 170-2 with eight overs left, the game took a dramatic twist.

Clarke (5-52), ripped out five bewildered batsmen in just 15 balls, whilst Carter (3-27) bagged 3-5 in 17 balls. This astonishing finale to their innings left Frampton on 203 all out.

The Stone reply got off to a poor start when Gerald Oates was bowled by the dangerous Peacey for two. Justin Lane (25) then joined Rob Evans and they put on 98 in 20 overs before the former holed out to long-off fielder, Mills.

With Stone now well set, Pete Williment (36) could play his natural game and he helped Evans move the total along to 171-2 with ten overs remaining before he miss-hit one to cover fielder, Throup. Stone then stuttered, losing Alan Pascoe (5) and Clarke (5) in quick succession, but Moulder (5*) scored the winning run with just ten balls remaining.

Evans finished on 81 not out, his best knock for Stone in recent years. Buoyed by the win, Stone entertain Cheltenham Saracens this weekend.