STOURBRIDGE'S winless start to the season stretched to three games when losing at Bridgnorth last Saturday.

The host smashed 262 for their 50 overs before bowling out Stour for just 139 in the 42nd over to wrap up the points.

The home side started badly but two stubborn partnerships saw them post a winning total.

Stour’s batting was marred by two decisions that may not have stood the test of scrutiny. Despite the lack of early season form, the Memorial Ground outfit introduced fourtee14-year-old Zain Ul Hassan, a County Academy prospect to their first team squad

Winning the toss, skipper Matt Bradley put the opposition in bringing instant success. Jitesh Jivan-Patel taking the wicket of Karl Quiney caught behind for a duck.

Stour’s success was ruined by a brilliant knock from the skipper James Ralph. Ralph and Ryan Lockley took the Bridgnorth score from five to 59 in the 15th over.

It was left to the young debutant Hassan to break the budding partnership when tempting Lockley to cut a ball into the hands of standing keeper Greg Jones for 16 off 41 balls.

At the half way stage the home side had progressed to 106 for 2. Ralph continued to punish Stour bowlers until he fell the victim of a boundary catch off the bowling of Jivan-Patel for 97 off 91 balls that included 11 fours and four sixes. Bridgnorth were well placed on 156 for 3 with 16 overs remaining.

The momentum continued through numbers four and five, Simon Gregory and David Exall respectively. The ruthless Exall piled on the agony taking 43 off 29 balls with three sixes two of which flew straight landing in the nearby super store car park.

He was out to a smart running catch at long on by Alex Bingham off Audy Alexander. Simon Gregory (73) was out caught off Matt Bradley after his job was done. Ian Gregory was not out on 19 with Thomas Weaver on seven as a flurry of wickets fell for quick runs. Debutant Hassan finished with the figures of six overs, one wicket for 34 runs.

Stour, needing a solid start, saw opener Alex Bingham caught behind for two. Steve Game and the determined Richard Bradley offered some hope to the visitors taking the score to 71 off the 15 overs.

The unlucky Game, playing an anchor role, was judged out stumped for four off the bowling of David Exall. Surprised to be seeing the official finger go up, Game had to walk.

Bradley and Audy Alexander fought on but when on 10 Alexander was judged lbw off the bowling of David Exall. Alexander’s promising knock cut short prematurely to the opposition’s delight.

Bradley’s fearless innings continued ridding his luck on occasions. Just as he seemed to have mastered the conditions Bradley fell caught off the bowling of David Exall for 43 off 63 balls made up of four fours and a six. End of innings resistance came from Greg Jones (19) but could not stop the position romp home to a victory. Stour will be hoping for a better result as they take on relegated Sutton Coldfield at home this Saturday (12noon start).