Stratford’s 2nd XI suffered a frustrating season ultimately resulting in their relegation back to the Birmingham League Division Two South. Having been promoted as champions the season before, they missed key players throughout the season and, already faced with a difficult task due to four teams being relegated from the 12-team league, finished bottom.
Wins were few and far between, however possibly the most memorable performance of the season came against Kenilworth Wardens. The hosts had reached 273-2 after 45 overs when they surprisingly declared. However Kenilworth’s captain, former Stratford player Mark Pidgeon, was left with egg on his face when Josh Hickman’s 103 led Stratford to a remarkable victory.
Despite this season’s setback, the team can look forward to next season season. They will be bolstered by winter signings and will surely face fewer selection issues next summer, allowing them to field a more consistent XI through the season.
Many thanks to skipper Rich Sykes plus Adam Joseph, who filled in as captain on several occasion. Thanks also go to David Troughton, our umpire, to Brian Webb, our head groundsman and umpire, and to main sponsors REPL.
Read on for final table plus batting/bowling statistics.
Birmingham League 2nd XI Division One – Final Table
# | Club | Played | Won | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Shifnal II | 22 | 14 | 340 |
2 | Halesowen II | 22 | 11 | 317 |
3 | Shrewsbury II | 22 | 11 | 298 |
4 | Walsall II | 22 | 11 | 290 |
5 | Coventry NW II | 22 | 10 | 287 |
6 | Wellington II | 22 | 10 | 264 |
7 | Astwood Bank II | 22 | 9 | 262 |
8 | Kenilworth Wardens II | 22 | 7 | 252 |
9 | Old Hill II | 22 | 6 | 222 |
10 | Penkridge II | 22 | 6 | 189 |
11 | Tamworth II | 22 | 4 | 184 |
12 | Stratford-upon-Avon II | 22 | 4 | 168 |
2015 top wicket takers
# | Bowler | Wickets | Average | Best Bowling |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lee Clarke | 20 | 22.65 | 3/26 |
2 | Josh Hickman | 16 | 19.75 | 3/22 |
3 | Harry Abell | 16 | 40.56 | 4/15 |
4 | Iain Lythall | 13 | 43.54 | 4/45 |
5 | Steve Cootes | 12 | 20.58 | 4/65 |
2015 highest run scorers
# | Batsman | Runs | Average | 50/100 | High Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | James Harcourt | 431 | 25.35 | 2/0 | 61 |
2 | Adam Joseph | 386 | 25.73 | 3/0 | 79* |
3 | Sam Douthwaite | 324 | 32.40 | 3/0 | 63* |
4 | Josh Hickman | 283 | 31.44 | 1/1 | 103 |
5 | Harry Abell | 238 | 18.31 | 0/0 | 43 |