Stone played hosts to Minchinhampton on a cold, windy and showery day. Having won the toss skipper Shearman put Stone in to bat on what looked a soggy slow pitch. It turned out to be anything but. Matt Richings finding bounce and seam movement off a good length. Stones innings started slowly with Minch using the conditions well. Early breakthrough went to Nick Hitchcroft who had opener Singh caught and bowled. After 10 over’s joint skipper Ben Pitman changed things up and brought on himself and Jack Cartledge. Pitman found his straps early and was extracting vicious bounce. Cartledge struggled in the heavy winds with a few wayward balls finding the boundary. Opener Ball was giving few chances. Joint skipper Shearman came into the attack and bowled with accuracy to extract 4 key wickets. Having the stubborn Ball Caught behind. Another wicket fell after drinks with V. Ball undone with a yorker. A few overs later saw Shearman on for a hat trick after he had Vinney caught behind and Corbit bowled round his legs but it was not to be. Shearman had 4 wickets for 19 at this point however his last over went for 16. Stones Mackor showing his skill including a perfect ondrive for 4. Shearman finished with 4-35. Cartledge came back on from the top end and found his line and length putting pressure on the tail. Taking 1-29 finding the top of off stump with a lovely ball. Pitman 1-29, Richings 2-15 and Hitchcroft 2-15 pitched in at the end rotating the bowling and taking wickets. Stones innings came to an end on 144 AO.

Minch started quickly, Tom Richings finding the boundary with ease, including a huge straight 6. However opener Hodges struggled to find his rhythm and fell for 0. This brought the fiery Matt Hole to the crease who was intent on showing his skill. Not one to hold back Hole got off the mark with a beautiful sweep to the boundary, combined with Richings who was also dispatching anything loose they quickly reeled in the target. Hole racing to 45 until he was unlucky to defend a ball and have it roll back onto his stumps narrowly missing out on a well deserved 50. This brought new comer Fortune to the crease. He kept up the momentum hitting his first 6 of the season however he was bowled for a quick fire 15. Tom Shearman came out with 40 still required and set about chasing them down. A lofted cover drive for 4 and some quick singles saw this target quickly into single figures. Shearman finished the game with a 6 ending 24 not out and over’s to spare. Richings recorded his 2 50 in a row finishing on 53 not out. A chance less knock with some elegant lust blows. Credit to Stone for sticking with it and bowling their youth on a very difficult day. J Thomas 2-49 and H Maiden 1-29 the only wicket takers. However L Thomas 0-28 from 10 kept it tight and gave away very few loose deliveries.