AN UNBEATEN 98 by 19-year-old New Zealander John Blakeley helped Cookley to 237-4 in their Worcestershire League Division Two encounter with Evesham at Lea Lane.

But it was not enough to help the home side secure victory as their county rivals went on to complete a three-wicket win.

Put in to bat, Cookley lost Paul Harris third ball to pacey South African bowler Irvine.

Phil Devito(30) and Phil Dixon(35) established a sound base for Blakeley to take the attack to the visitors with a superb display of stroke-making.

He was ably supported by Lee Shewry (38) and a cameo 20 from Gary Mills.

The crucial question after tea was whether Cookley could get the prize wicket of arguably one of the division's best batsman, Barrie Clements who totalled 643 runs last season.

But the answer was no as Clements held the Evesham side together with 96 not out and the visitors emerged victorious though Blakeley took three wickets.

Cookley 237-4, Evesham 238-7.

The seconds had the better of the game in Evesham thanks to an unbeaten century by John Martin which helped his side to 253-4.

Martin followed up his 86 not out the previous week and was helped by solid batting from Paul Cartwright (71) and Martin Williams (44).

Evesham were never really in the hunt and in the end settled for a losing draw at 158-4.

Matty Goode was the pick of Cookley's bowlers with 4-25.

Cookley 2nds 253-4, Evesham 158-4.

Cookley reached the third round of the National Village Knock-out Cup, 25 years on from their trophy win at Lord's.

They won at Cotswold Premier League side Overbury by three wickets after good bowling by Shewry (3-24) and Adam Sellick (3-32) helped dismiss them for 149.

Shewry showed his ability with the bat with an unbeaten 40 with Martin Williams (32) and Adam Nicholls(27) also chipping in as they got home with less than two overs left.

Overbury 149, Cookley 151-7.