STUDLEY overcame the loss of a crucial toss to record their first victory of the Warwickshire League Division One season with an 80-run win at Coventry outfit Standard on Saturday.
The visitors, who had seen last weekend’s opener at home to Coleshill washed out, were put into bat in seamer-friendly conditions on a damp wicket but battled hard to make a respectable 192-4 off their 50 overs, as Simon Stamenkovic (53no) and Jay Nazir (44) led the way.
The pitch had dried out considerably by the time the hosts came to bat but Studley’s bowlers were determined to see their side to victory and they did so in style with an excellent all-round performance to clinch 24 points.
Mark Swanick and Chris Moss both took three wickets and Barry Smith chipped in with two as Standard were dismissed for 112 in the 45th over.
Studley captain Steve Rose, who remains a few weeks away from a return to action after injury, was delighted with both the result and performance and believes there is more to come from his team.
“It was important to get a win on the board after the previous weekend’s abandonment and it was an excellent effort to win by such a margin having lost an important toss,” said Rose.
“We had several players missing as well, but we should be able to welcome back Glenn Lacey and Dale Edwards into the reckoning for Saturday’s home game against Barby.
“I expect that to be a big test for the team because they are fancied to do well this season and have the quickest bowler in the league, but we can go into the match with confidence after Saturday’s performance.”
