Churchways CC 228/9 beat Stoke Gifford CC 125 by 103 runs
Stoke Gifford 1st XI endured a tough afternoon at home as Churchways CC earned a 103-run victory in their Eighth Division North clash. Having won the toss and chosen to bat, the visitors built a formidable platform behind a stunning display from opener Fraser Butt, who struck 92 off 88 balls with 11 boundaries and three sixes.
Stoke Gifford's bowlers worked hard to keep the run-rate in check and broke through periodically. Shabir Azizi bowled Awais Hussain for 28 to break a 48-run opening stand, before bowling Ismail Asif and taking a return catch to dismiss Muhammad Ali Riaz. Azizi ended with fine figures of 3/43. Meanwhile, jamie black picked up 2/30 by bowling both Asim Iqbal and Shabir Malik, while Lewis Jefferies bowled Idrees Asif for a quickfire 29 in a tight eight-over spell that yielded just 23 runs.
The home side's late surge was led by Tom Meadows, who finished with 3/21. Meadows secured the crucial wicket of Butt, caught by Rich Stadden, before also removing Christopher Petela—again caught by Stadden—and accepting a return catch from Sadam Safi. However, a rapid undefeated 31 off 16 balls from Hudhayfah Hussain pushed Churchways to a commanding 228/9 from their 40 overs.
In response, Stoke Gifford made a steady start as openers Matt Semple (19) and Shabir Azizi (18) put on 47 for the first wicket. But once Semple was bowled by Awais Hussain, the chase unravelled. Hussain swiftly claimed Azizi, caught by Idrees Asif, and Sadam Safi struck twice in quick succession, bowling both Lewis Russell for a duck and Alex Thompson Juan for three. Idrees Asif added to the pressure by bowling Jamie Franks and Joe Black, reducing Stoke Gifford to 94/6.
Lewis Jefferies offered spirited resistance, top-scoring for the hosts with an entertaining 43 off 44 balls, including two fours and two sixes. His dismissal, caught by Hussain off Ismail Asif at 116/7, signalled the final stretch. jamie black contributed 11 before falling to Muhammad Ali Riaz, who claimed 2/1 in his lone over by also removing Meadows. Ismail Asif then completed his figures of 2/21 by catching and bowling Robbie Seward, leaving Rich Stadden unbeaten on zero as Stoke Gifford were bowled out for 125 in 29.3 overs.
While it was a disappointing result, Stoke Gifford can take encouragement from disciplined bowling spells by Meadows, Azizi, and Jefferies, as well as Jefferies' aggressive counter-attack with the bat.