STRATFORD bounced back from their first defeat of the season to defeat Pelsall and move into the Birmingham League Division Three top three.
James Urquhart led the way with 4-32 as Stratford snaffled eight wickets for just 27 runs at Swans Nest Lane to win by 18 runs.
It was the perfect fightback to erase the previous week’s disappointment in losing to Rugby and leaves the Panthers 13 points behind joint leaders Stourbridge and Rugby.
Chris Whelan’s side travel to Shropshire to face Newport on Saturday.
Pelsall won the toss and elected to field but Stratford got past 100 for the loss of three wickets.
However, the innings subsided somewhat to leave them 183-9 from their 50 overs. Tom Boyd (5-33) and Dan Wale (4- 28) took all nine wickets between them.
Whelan’s 39 and 34 not out from Archie Walker were the most significant contributions for Stratford, while opener Dexter Purser hit 33.
At 138-2, thanks to 55 from Jake Lee and 48 from Todd Henderson, victory was within Pelsall’s grasp, but they lost their last eight wickets for 27, with Urquhart taking 4-32.
Purser (2-21) and Walker (2-18) also helped spark the visitors’ collapse.
There was disappointment, however, for the seconds and the Bards.
The seconds went down by three wickets at Kidderminster in 2nd XI Second Division South.
After winning the toss and batting first, Stratford reached 183-9 in their 45 overs, with Ed Cunynghame top-scoring with 47 and James Harcourt (31) and Matt Dutton (29) the other main contributors.
Kidderminster got past their target in the 41st over, with Joe Miszkowski their top-scorer with 65. There were two wickets apiece for Richard Smith (2-25), Adam Joseph (2-36) and Muhammed Dogar (2-42).
The seconds entertain Sutton Coldfield on Saturday.
The Bards suffered a nine-wicket loss at home to Shipston-on-Stour 2nds in Cotswold Hills League Division Three.
They were bowled out for 67 and Shipston comfortably got home for the loss of one wicket.
