CHARLIE Griffiths claimed remarkable figures of 5-9 as Old Elizabethans crushed Division Two new boys Stratford by 144 runs at the Memorial Ground.

Chasing 211, Griffiths ensured the visitors fell comfortably short with his spell of 7.5 overs, which included three wickets in one over and two maidens.

He was supported by 4-24 from Matt Sprague as OEs collected 24 points.

Stratford skipper Matthew Corby won the toss and invited the home side to have first use of a good-looking track.

Jamie Boyle (20) and Joe Taylor (49) opened the innings with a 37-run partnership before the former was given out caught behind off the bowling of Tom Grundy.

Charlie Garratt (17) then joined Taylor and the pair added 57 in good time before the former was caught and bowled by Joe Grundy.

With the next wicket falling on the same score of 94, and with only 22 overs remaining, consolidation along with an increase in the scoring rate was called for.

This was achieved by James Bull (37) and Sri Lankan Krishall Magage (36), who together had compiled 60 in less than an hour before the latter was caught.

The tempo continued as OEs pushed towards 200. Sprague (18 not out) and Griffiths (12no) saw the hosts to a respectable 210-6 from their 55 overs.

In reply, Sprague (4-22) struck first when he trapped Rob West lbw with the score on 12.

Sean Morris and Peter Wilson added 25 runs before the former was caught by Taylor off the bowling of Jamie Alford (1-26).

Just nine more runs had been added when Sprague claimed his second victim and then bowled captain Corby first ball in the same over.

At 46-4 from 18 overs, Stratford needed some patient and determined batting to recover the situation, but the introduction of Griffiths sent the visitors’ innings into a tailspin.

Conceeding just six runs from his first three overs, he took three wickets in his fourth for the cost of just one run.

Firstly, he bowled top-scoring Wilson (23) and then Alex Fisher next ball, before bowling Sam Douthwaite off the fourth ball of his over.

With Stratford now reeling at 56-8, there was no way back as Griffiths claimed two more wickets.

n Elsewhere, Barnards Green continued their fine start to the campaign with a seven-wicket success at Oswestry in Division Three.

Tim Williams’ side dismissed their hosts for 111 thanks to 6-6-2 from Phil Harris and 4-37 from New Zealander Matt McEwan.

Kevin Golder then top-scored with an unbeaten 43 as Green got home for the loss of just three wickets in reply.

Ombersley recorded a 73-run success at newly-promoted Eastnor in Division Two with Neil Slade taking 6-19 for the visitors.

Evesham lost to Bromsgrove in Division One by two wickets.