AFTER solid opening stand bet-ween Adam Westmacott and Ian Hardwick, the Badsey batting lost its grip and subsequently Satur-day's match.

The openers reached 72 at drinks but the loss of four wickets for the addition of 21 runs left Stone in the ascendancy.

Only a fifth wicket partnership of 56 in ten overs between Cowley and Hamman and Mike Powell's quickfire 20 helped the hosts reach 189-8 at the end of their 45 overs with Cowley top scoring with an undefeated 60.

The chasers knocked 49 off their target before losing a wicket but at drinks the match was evenly poised with the visitors 94-4.

However, Brazier was well set and his innings of 66 that ended at 157-5 proved a crucial knock as did the 30 rattled up by Ward who only perished with just four needed to complete a five-wicket win.