VETERANS cricket team Fossils beat a Tony Rubery XI and a Gerald Wadley XI to continue their fine form.

They retained the Tony Rubery Cup with a five-wicket win and three balls of the last over remaining.

The Rubery XI made a bright start thanks to Dormy Cook (42) and Bill Wood (48) putting on 102 in 15 overs before both retired.

Tony Price also hit 40 and retired before Paul Thompson (3-19) and Liz Dean (2-25) put the brakes on.

The Rubery XI still managed 190-6 in 35 overs, which was a good score on a slow wicket.

Fossils’ innings started badly when Glyn Thomas was bowled by Fred Lewis (2-24) first ball.

Dean and Wilf Pinfold (17) put on 33 and the former went on to score 40 before she retired.

Fossils were behind the run-rate required but Thompson hit a bright 34 and a hard-hitting 43 by Simon Hudson turned things in their favour.

Roger Morris added 14 and the tailenders gave it a crack to leave them needing four from four balls.

Patrick Carroll becomes the hero as he smacked Lewis for four to secure Fossils the cup for the fourth year with a winning 191-5.

Another fine all round display by Fossils brought them a four-wicket win against the Gerald Wadley XI.

Put into bat, the Wadley team had a poor start when Graham Thorne was bowled by Dean (3-34) first ball.

Peter Gurr (11) was joined by Dave Sample, who top-scored with 41 before he retired.

Forty from Hudson kept the score going before Alan Hancox (16) and Derek Ebbage (19 not out) moved it to 145 from 32 overs.

Peter Tudge and Cook bowled well backed up by good ground fielding.

In reply, Colin Hobbs (40 retired) smashed his runs from seven overs in the time batting partner Nigel Price scored one.

Tony Price and Steve Heywood departed for ducks but Cook (20) and Bernie Szypulski (28) took every chance to score.

Remarkable bowling by Gurr with 3-3 in seven overs put the Wadley team back in the game.

But John Riley (20no) and Dean (7no) stood firm and put on a stand of 32 to get Fossils past the winning post on 146-6.