AVONCROFT Cricket Club narrowly failed to secure victory in their end of season friendly on Saturday against a determined Malvern Ramblers.

Batting first the Ramblers were indebted to Evans (45) and Rob Francis (33) for their total of 157 off their allotted 40 overs.

Indeed, they were perhaps fortunate to reach that score as Croft rang the changes, using eight different bowlers.

Bob Irish, bowling a typical frugal spell, got proceedings off to a good start by claiming two good early wickets, before Rich Sinclair, Jon Bird, Pete Whitehead and Paul Athey all chipped in with a wicket apiece.

With Evans and Francis in full flow the introduction of part time bowler Chris Townsend changed the match dramatically as both were well caught on the boundary by Bird and Pete Jukes.

A somewhat amazed Townsend, normally found crouching behind the stumps, finished with career best figures of 4-32 as the innings subsided with overs remaining.

Croft's reply was based around an exquisite 57 from Rich Sinclair with an array of crisp boundaries to all parts of the ground.

Paul Athey (21), offering valuable support, kept the innings well on course.

Following his dismissal Wil Gilmore, a product of Croft's junior system, played two of the best shots of the match, showing great potential in reaching double figures.

The reintroduction of Francis, who bowled a total of 13 overs, stemmed the victory charge and precipitated more wickets, mostly to the off-spin of Hooper, who claimed three wickets.

In the end Irish and Matt Prescott remained unbeaten as Ramblers ran out winners by 27 runs.