STOKE Gabriel dropped back from third to fourth in the C Division West when the lost by 16 runs to visiting Whitchurch.

Billy Barriball was the man of the moment for Whitchurch with 92 in a total of 221 all out.

Barriball and Ben Powell (37) hoisted 99 for the second Whitchurch wicket before Seb Ansley (4-28) exercised some bowling control.

Stoke skipper Jack Tolley took three for 57 from six eventful overs and Dan Bullock bagged two for 40.

Ansley is the man in form with bat and ball right now for Stoke and made 78 as the Villagers reached 108 for one. Stuart Parker chipped in.

Wickets started to tumble to Mark Kerswell (3-37) and James Towl as Stoke dipped to 158 for six.

Bits and pieces from the bottom half were not enough to get Stoke over  the line and they ran out of puff at 205.

“We probably let Whitchurch get a few too many, but to come away from a defeat with 10 points was a reasonable effort on our part,” said Tolley.