Stourport 207 all out Avoncroft 157 all out

Avoncroft lost by 50 runs

AVONCROFT suffered their second defeat of the season at the hands of Stourport to hamper their promotion hopes in the Worcestershire League Division Three on Saturday.

'Croft's normally reliable batting order produced their worst performance of the season, as they crumbled under the warm summer sun.

Their opponents had made 207 all out, but 'Croft collapsed to 94-8 to leave them in serious trouble.

Defeat ensured that 'Croft slipped out of the second place promotion spot as Feckenham, who inflicted a 107 run defeat on Old Vigornians, leapfrogged them.

'Croft's bowlers took the game by the scruff of the neck to dominate Stourport.

Dave James was the most effective bowler, taking 4-92, but Nick Riley (3-56) and captain Paul Athey (2-53) also proved to be dangerous with the ball.

Richard Sinclair also produced an athletic one-handed catch, as Avoncroft turned the screws on their opponents and bowled them out for 207.

Avoncroft though never recovered from a poor start, where they collapsed to 94-8 by the 32nd over.

Duncan Smith and Athey's half century partnership did raise hopes that Avoncroft could hold on for a draw.

But those hopes were dashed with six balls to go when Stourport took the last wicket.

Avoncroft face a testing game to try and bounce back from the Stourport defeat this Saturday, when they take on leaders Lye at home (1.30pm start). Victory could prove to be the lift that Avoncroft need to go all the way to promotion.