STRATFORD will be seeking to step up their promotion challenge by targeting a fourth win in six games when they entertain Whitchurch tomorrow (Saturday).
Last weekend’s three-wickets victory at Newport left the Panthers in third place, 17 points leaders Rugby and 13 adrift of second-placed Stourbridge.
They face another Shropshire side tomorrow at Swans Nest Lane when third-from-bottom Whitchurch, who drew at Redditch last weekend, are the guests.
Last weekend, Gareth Langman provided the match-defining innings to seal Stratford’s success.
Chasing 172 to win, Stratford still had plenty of work to do at Audley Avenue at 77-4 after Declan Waddington fell for 25.
But Langman, batting at No 6, scored 63 off 72 balls to steer the Panthers home with five overs to spare. Langman and Archie Walker (20no) shared an unbeaten 46-run stand for the eighth wicket.
Shabbir Khan, with three for 58, was the most successful bowler for Newport.
Earlier, Ed Fowler hit 52 as Newport were bowled out for 171 with three wicket hauls for Sam Douthwaite (3-43) and Richard Smith (3-56).
In the 2nd XI Second Division South, Stratford Seconds went down to a four-wicket defeat at home to Sutton Coldfield.
Matt Dutton (49) and James Harcourt (48) were the only two batsmen to produce a lasting innings as Stratford were dismissed for 162.
Sutton, led by 53 from Rahim Khalil and 44 from James Lunn, eased home with four wickets and eight overs to spare.
