AVONCROFT First XI gained a creditable winning draw against Claverley in their latest Worcestershire County League Division Four encounter.

Batting first on a slow wicket Croft's 181 was mainly due to a lively 79 from Peter Jukes showing the way with a mix of good placement and five towering sixes.

His dismissal just after half way, with a missed timed drive, lost the innings valuable momentum. Croft's lower order managed to fashion some useful runs with Nigel Jukes (20) and Craig Southwick (13). However the innings concluded with four overs remaining. Hussain with 4-40 was the most successful bowler for Claverley.

In reply Claverley's total of 152 was centred around 64 not out from Peter Winterbottom, who despite a strong claim for a catch at the wicket, grafted right through the innings.

Croft never looked in danger of defeat as ten bowling changes were made to get the vital breakthrough.

Backed up by some excellent fielding, that included a direct throw from Southwick to run out Green, all the bowlers performed well, with Nigel Jukes 2-34, Guy Weston 1-17 and Bob Irish 1-22 the pick.

Despite not being about to bowl their opponents out Croft notched up winning points from the drawn game.

l Avoncroft Seconds made it three wins out of three this season with a comprehensive victory over an under-strength Claverley side.

Putting the visitors into bat, Croft's bowlers were made to toil in the heat early on, as Ghazzer and Mills (13) started well.

At 63-1, Claverley were going along nicely, but the introduction of young spinner Spencer George and the reintroduction of skipper Paul Athey created a stranglehold over the visiting batsmen.

George (3-24) continued to show he has all the makings of a fine cricketer with an intelligent spell of bowling, while Athey (3-19) blasted out the middle order as Claverley collapsed to 101 all out.

Opener Ghazzer was the only batsman to look the part, carrying his bat for 55no.

In reply, Croft never really looked in trouble as they cruised towards the total. Helped by a string of dropped catches, Croft comfortably made it to 102-2, giving them an eight wicket victory.

Richard Doodey (32no) and Steve Reynolds (29no) took the batting plaudits, but it was a fine all round team performance that helped to extend Croft's confident start to the season.