Cricket
Studley let Tamworth off the hook

Buy photos » Stuart Harris bowled impressively for Studley at the weekend. Photo 2012008ncr13.

STUDLEY spurned a fine chance to bag their first Birmingham League Division Three victory of the season on Saturday as they let title favourites Tamworth off the hook and slipped to a nine-run loss.

The Washford Fields side were beaten by another highly fancied side - Oswestry - in their previous encounter but looked set to bounce back in style with a victory over their Staffordshire visitors on Saturday.

However, with Studley 121-5 needing just 147 for victory, they collapsed to 137 all out in the 48th over.

There was plenty to be enthused about from Studley's bowling display as Stuart Harris (2-19 off 14 overs) exploited helpful conditions perfectly to remove both Tamworth openers.

Mark Lewis then ripped through the middle order and finished with 5-28 off 16 overs, leaving Tamworth grateful to 38 from number nine Rob Nield to guide them to 146-9 off their 55 overs.

Studley were soon in bother themselves with the bat as Australian Wayne Giblin removed the top three but Sunny Ahmed (26) and Jawaad Nazir (31) steadied the ship well with some confident and big-hitting batting and the hosts appeared to be back on track.

Ahmed was run out by a fine direct hit by Giblin though and Giblin (4-42) and Michael Talbot (4-21) were to have the final say on proceedings as Talbot claimed the key wicket of in-form Mark Swanick who had struck four sixes in his knock of 33.

Last man Josh Gandy tried hard to get Matt Palmer on strike with Studley nine down but Talbot bowled him and the hosts were left short on 137 all out in the 48th over.

There were positives in defeat for Studley though and, with Kiwi import Te Ahu Davis continuing to adjust to English early season wickets, they will hope to gather momentum sooner rather than later, hopefully starting with tomorrow's visit to Bridgnorth.

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