Openers ensure a tricky start is overcome

This game wasn’t supposed to be this tricky.

Stony Stratford arrived at Bretton Gate next-to-bottom of the Northants Premier Division and without their skipper and opening bowler Alex Strong.

After two balls Stony were 1-1 as Peterborough Town paceman Joe Dawborn skittled the visitors’ best batsman James Warsop, a man with multiple tons to his name this summer.

But any thoughts of a rapid, dominant performance a la Roger Federer were soon dashed.

Stony batted positively and with great panache, particularly 14 year-old Michael Wells who showed a complete lack of respect to Town professional Paul McMahon, a shadow of the miserly off-spinner who graced the Gate pre-knee ligament injury.

Stony were 155-3 with plenty of overs remaining before stuttering and closing on a still creditable 208 all out.

Dawborn (4-43) was the pick of Town’s bowlers with McMahon (3-64) rescuing his figures with a couple of late wickets.

It was more straightforward with the bat once captain David Clarke had survived a close runout call early in the reply.

He went on to finish 84 not out after Asim Butt (67) had been the more aggressive batsman in an opening stand of 136 as Town won with over 11 overs to spare.

Paul McMahon bowling for Town against Stony Stratford.