STROLLERS suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Lads Club, who cruised to a nine-wicket win with more than 10 overs remaining.

Strollers opted to bat first, but posted a below par 182-8 from their 45 overs. After a poor start, captain Richard Lerego and Mark Powell (30) rebuilt the innings with a third wicket stand of 52, before the latter fell straight after the drinks break with the score on 70.

Lerego continued his good form to reach his third half-century of the season, and was assisted well by Simon Albright (25) in the second half of the innings, in a fifth wicket stand of 45. When Lerego eventually fell for 77 (seven 4s), the Strollers innings petered out and failed to accelerate in the closing overs.

The Lads Club reply got off to a good start before Brian Caffelle was bowled round his legs, by the economical Simon Albright. That bought brothers Ian and Mark Cathcart to the crease with the score on 40.

Apart from one half-chance, the Lads Club batsmen fired the ball all around the park in a brilliant stand of 143 to win the game.

Both were unbeaten after reaching their 50; Ian Cathcart scored 69 (eight 4s & three 6s) and Mark Cathcart finished with 87 (11 4s & four 6s).