DIRECTOR of rugby Gary Gold hit 31 as Worcester Warriors’ cricket team crashed to a 29-run defeat against Worcester Police in the Worcester Evening League Cup.

Barnards Green all-rounder Blair Kingsland top scored with 51 for Warriors in a spirited performance at Ombersley on Tuesday.

Warriors’ Charlie Lincoln produced a fine opening spell with 2-31 off his four eight-ball overs.

A wicket for Luke Summers removed the dangerous J Taylor as the police stuttered to 61-3 from eight overs.

Kingsland returned figures of 1-9 in three overs as Warriors sensed a cup upset.

But A Damm (33 no) and R Lane (15) hit some hefty blows at the death to propel the hosts to 129-5 from their 14 overs.

With a lack of batting in their ranks, Warriors slipped to 6-3 in reply as Bromsgrove’s Taylor snapped up 2-9 in three overs.

However, Gold and Kingsland set about repairing Warriors’ innings.

The pair guided the visitors to 83-3 in the 11th over, giving Warriors an outside chance of a remarkable turnaround before Kingsland was brilliantly run out by Taylor for 51.

Gold cracked five boundaries in his 31 before being bowled as Warriors collapsed to 100 all out in the final over after tight bowling from M Chapman (2-3) and Holliday (2-8).