2nd XI relegated

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