The Swans Nest outfit defeated Knowle & Dorridge by 14 runs at Edgbaston.
The new 100-ball format tournament launched by the Warwickshire Cricket Board (WCB) and Warwickshire County Cricket Club to revitalise Sunday cricket at clubs across the region concluded at Edgbaston on Sunday.
Stratford-upon-Avon and Knowle & Dorridge played in front of 150 supporters with the former bringing a 50 seater coach.
“The game has given club cricketers a rare and unique opportunity to play at a major international cricket stadium.
Andy Wyles
Both sides had navigated eight group games and a semi-final, which took place at Bedworth Cricket Club, to win the exclusive prize of playing on the Edgbaston turf.
Stratford, led by captain Harry Abell, won the toss and decided to bat first.
The Panthers reached 124 for 7 from their 100 balls with opening batter Dexter Purser top-scoring with 57 (six fours and 2 sixes).
In reply, Knowle & Dorridge skippered by Tom Smith reached 110-9 with Smith scoring 47 runs off 32 balls (three sixes), before being dismissed by an amazing catch from Birmingham League teammate Jack Grundy.
Grundy joined his brother Tom by turning out for his old club Stratford-upon-Avon against his Saturday side.
Following the 14-run victory, Warwickshire bowler Henry Brookes was on hand to present the trophy.
Andy Wyles, Participation & Growth Manager at the Warwickshire Cricket Board, believes the final was the perfect ending to the tournament.
“This year’s Sunday Smash has been a fantastic competition that concluded with a brilliant final between Stratford-upon-Avon vs Knowle & Dorridge,” said Wyles.
“The game has given club cricketers a rare and unique opportunity to play at a major international cricket stadium.
“I was pleased to see a good mix of players on both sides with Knowle and Dorridge deciding to pick six players under the age of 18.
“The support we received on the day was pleasing and I would like to thank everyone who came.”
The tournament saw 15 clubs in three regional divisions competing throughout June and July.
Played in coloured clothing with a pink ball, all games start at 2 pm to allow clubs to remain open throughout the day, following the morning’s programme of youth cricket.
“The general feedback from most teams that have played in this new format is extremely positive with players enjoying a new format of cricket which is played in 2 and a half hours on a Sunday afternoon,” Wyles added.
“I can see no reason why next years professional competition will not have the same positive impact on the game, to what we have seen in Warwickshire through the Smash this summer.”
The competition will return in 2020, with the WCB hosting an open evening in October for current and prospective new teams.
