MEIR Heath captain Richard Stonier insisted a team ethic had been the catalyst for their eight-wicket win against Kidsgrove... despite Joe Woodward being the star attraction.

The 19-year-old produced a magical 14-over spell of off-spin to claim 6-15 as Kidsgrove, missing Pakistan professional Najaf Shah, were dismissed for 90 at Hilderstone Road.

Not content with bamboozling the visitors's batting, he dished out similar treatment to their bowling attack with an undefeated 40 as Meir Heath cruised to a 20-point haul.

However, despite Woodward appearing to almost single-handedly win the match, Stonier was keen to look at the bigger picture.

"I said to the lads before the game that we need to be a side that is hard to beat, not be negative, but dig in and fight for points," said Stonier.

"Everyone must take care of their own individual performances, but we walk off the field as a team.

"I'm delighted for Joe Woodward. He has done a lot of work while he's been at Loughborough University, but he's a great person to have in the side and he's our main all-round cricketer.

"He got into a rhythm and most of their batsman couldn't get to grips with him.

"The professional (Chris Guest) also bowled well in the conditions, but it was a real team effort."

Meir Heath won the toss and their decision to bowl first reaped instant rewards with a quickfire double from Alex Walley, who ended up with 2-10 from nine overs.

He bowled Jason Jinks for three, before having former Rode Park and Lawton batsman Dave Wellings caught by Woodward for a duck to leave the visitors on 11-2.

Dave Leese reached 24 until he became the first of Woodward's victims, while Nick Locker trapped Grant Goodwin lbw for a duck to inflict further misery on Kidsgrove.

The experienced Gary Stanyer and Ian Bailey set about rebuilding the innings, and compiled a stand of 34 for the fifth wicket, which was ended when Bailey was bowled by Woodward for 13.

Anthony Green (1), Chris Highfield (0) and Elliott Maginnis (0) all suffered the same fate to leave Kidsgrove on 85-8.

Their last remaining hope of achieving a competitive total rested with Stanyer, but with the score on 90, he was caught by Jon Britton, off the bowling of Woodward, for 36.

Seamer Chris Guest returned to the attack to wrap up the innings by trapping Mitchell Spencer lbw for nought, to finish with economical figures of 1-28 from 16.1 overs.

Kidsgrove's young seam duo of Spencer and Maginnis provided a glimmer of hope with two quick wickets in Meir Heath's reply.

Locker fell lbw to Spencer for four, while Stonier was caught by Leese, off Maginnis for five as the home side struggled to 9-2.

Perhaps somewhat predictably, Woodward stepped up to the plate and, allied by wicketkeeper Jake Heath, ensured there were no further alarms in the home ranks.

Woodward closed on 40, while Heath weighed in with 24 not out in an unbroken stand of 83 to guide their team to victory.

Spencer produced excellent figures of 1-7 from his six overs, while Maginnis picked up 1-16 from a similar spell.

Kidsgrove's Stanyer was understandably disappointed with result, but looked at the few high points the team could take from the match.

"We are very disappointed with the way we batted, but if we'd posted another 40-odd it might have been a game," he said.

"Not having the professional with us didn't help, but our two opening bowlers were 16 and 17-years-old and did a great job, so there are some positives to take from the match.

"It is a bit of a wake-up call for us because ourselves and Meir Heath are similarly matched sides.

"It was naivety on our behalf, but we'll look to bounce back against Rode Park and Lawton next week.

Meanwhile, Stonier quickly set his sights on building on the impressive start as his side look to return to the Premier Division following their relegation in 2007.

"The first five games are the most important, so to get off to a winning start was very pleasing," said the opening batsman.

"Everyone is a bit rusty and possibly nervous in the first game, but everyone impressed, so let's hope that can continue, starting against Whitmore next week."