OLD Elizabethans suffered a crushing 99-run defeat at the Memorial Ground when Water Orton out-played them in all departments.

Home skipper Jamie Boyle won the toss and made the decision to insert the opposition on what looked to be a good batting track.

The home side got off to a good start when Krishall Magage pulled off an excellent opportunist run out with the non-striking batsman, Murphy, well out of his ground.

Just 11 runs later, Liam Booth trapped Sperring lbw and he followed that by having overseas player Louw (13) caught behind by Steve Walsh.

At 55-3, the visitors had some rebuilding to do and this came in the form of three good partnerships. Matt Dawes (48) and Gary Crouch added 44, before Dawes was caught by Booth.

Asif Ali (77) then joined Crouch (120) and this pairing added a brisk 129 runs, before Ali was caught by Magage off Yogesh Malhotra.

By now the damage had been done as the Water Orton batsmen scored freely all around the ground, closing their innings on 291-7 off their 55 overs. Booth (3-70) had the best return with Griffiths, Malhotra and Taylor claiming one wicket each.

The OEs reply got off to a promising start as Boyle (17) and Taylor (18) compiled 37 before Taylor was given out lbw.

Only six runs had been added when Boyle was caught behind and he was followed by Garratt with no addition to the score.

James Bull (11) and Magage (33) steadied the innings a little as they added 35 before an unfortunate run out saw Bull depart, then Magage followed 17 runs later.

The innings then subsided with several players getting a start but failing to go on. Although top-scoring Malhotra (40) and Booth (16 not out) set a club Birmingham League record 10th wicket partnership of 35, OEs were bowled out for 192, 100 runs short of their target and with nearly nine overs remaining.