STOURBRIDGE defeated Milford Hall to record a win from their first game of the season.

Playing their first match of the season after missing out on two matches due rain, they were put in the field first as home skipper Kevin Joyce won the toss and decided to bat.

Decision to bat bucked the trend of bowling first on wet tracks. But the Milford Hall pitch turned out to be docile.

Stour paceman Dan Such struck the first blow bowling Stuart Phasez for 29. With the score remaining on 37, Stour’s overseas Nathan Crudeli bowled the other opener Christopher Becker for six with a pacey delivery.

With half the side out for 131 on a friendly pitch, Stour bowlers toiled hard to restrict the score to 214 for 7 from the 50 overs.

Number three James Davis stood his ground when Crudeli claimed low caught and bowled chance at the second attempt. Davis was given out on 48 following consultation between the umpires. The hosts past the 200-mark thanks to the skipper Joyce reaching 47 not out off 53 deliveries.

Stour’s reply began badly as they lost Jujhar Johal stumped off the off-spinner Robert Firth in his second over.

Number three Matt Bradley and Harshad Patel rescued the innings putting on 64 runs. Bradley was bowled trying to hit Phazey for the consecutive boundary.

Patel continued to steady the innings this time with Marvarick Perry, one of Stour’s three new first team signings. They put on 39 when Patel was caught and bowled by James Davis for 33 off 69 balls.

Milford Hall players celebrated when the hard-hitting Perry played on a delivery from Mark Thompson for 52.

Stour were still 55 short of victory and running out of overs. Hopes of a Milford victory faded as Crudeli and skipper Josh Banks started to dominate the bowling.

Crudeli slammed 43 off 27 deliveries hitting four fours and three sixes. Banks was unbeaten on 31 off 52 balls to see his side home with 27 deliveries to spare.

Stour take on the newly-promoted Redditch this Saturday at the War Memorial Ground (noon start).