VETERAN spinner Fred Buxton tore through Fladbury in his first over but Stone eventually had to settle for a Worcestershire League Division Six winning draw against Fladbury.

Buxton took a three-wicket maiden over, including both openers, after Fladbury's spirited start heralded 54 runs from the opening seven overs.

They were replying to Stone's huge 297-6 in 45 overs which featured superb batting from Mike Weideman (140 not out) and James Batsford (70).

The visitors had slipped up early on, falling to 47-3, before the duo's superb stand of 156 runs in 19 overs.

Buxton then took 6-19 with the prize wicket of N Mytton (54) but Fladbury's lower order batted out the rest of the overs to finish on 163-8.

Stone 297-6, Fladbury 163-8.

On Sunday, Stone beat Crowle by 21 runs in a friendly after totalling 204-5.

Simon Drew (41) and the in-form Batsford (72 not out) were the main scorers but Crowle were always in contention until the last few overs.

They lost their last five wickets for 25 runs with Dan Edwards (3-27) returning the best bowling figures.

Stone 204-5, Crowle 183.