Gloucester Division; Stone (189 a.o) lost to Hatherley & Reddings (235-5) by 46 runs

STONE captain Peter Lavis was reeling after a poor fielding performance cost his side dearly against league leaders Hatherley and Reddings on Saturday.

His opposite number Matthew Yiend was dropped on 20 before going on to make 95.

Lavis said: “We were awful in the field, we dropped a few chances and our ground fielding was shocking.

“We gave them 50 runs at least.”

Ian Hall (2-77) and Peter Lavis (2-72) were the standout bowlers for Stone as Hatherley set a tough target.

The cause wasn’t helped when Stone lost openers Miles Palmer (5) and Andrew Hall (4) to reduce them to 22-2.

However, Lavis (73) and Darren Turl (37) put on over 100 and at that point the Stone skipper thought victory was in sight.

He said: “We looked like we were going to get them with me and Darren there, but I was out and he got out next ball.

“They are a good side obviously, but on another day we could have come away with all of the points.”

However, Stone collapsed to 189 all out as Rob Burford took 4-30 for the visitors.

The defeat means that they are just one place off the bottom of the table, although there is some breathing space down between them and Fairford below them and Lavis is confident his side can avoid the drop.

He said: “We may have to go to their (Fairford’s) place and win in two or three weeks time.”

“Hopefully we’ll pick up a win this Saturday, we’re pretty confident of picking up one win at home.

Stone host fifth placed Painswick on Saturday and have a full strength squad available for the clash.

Lavis said: “We fancy our chances, we always give them a good game, we know their key men and if we get them out we’ve got a chance.”