STONE lost their Worcestershire Saturday League Division Five visit to Newland by the tightest of margins.

Having elected to bat, they made reasonable progress despite losing wickets at key times.

Paul Briggs (38) top-scored, while Pete Durnell (27 not out) and Dean Aldridge (19) helped Stone to 141.

Their bowlers struck at regular intervals and at one stage had reduced Newland to 120-8.

But an unbeaten last-wicket partnership of 12 saw the home side to their target with P Birch scoring 47.

Durnell (4-33) and Kevin Hatton (4-50) had the most success for the villagers.

Stone 141, Newland 142-9.

Stone lost by nine wickets when they played a strong Swindon side in a Sunday friendly.

They chose to bat and reached 86-3 after losing an early wicket.

But despite tail-end resistance from Geoff Smith (20), Stone were all out for 143.

Swindon lost their first wicket to Durnell with only four on the board but M Glaze (61 not out) and S Beech (64 not out) saw their side home with 17 overs left.

Stone 143, Swindon 147-1.