AVONCORFT CC First XI showed their character by bouncing back from last week's poor performance at Tenbury to crush a full strength Old Vigornians side by 70 runs last Saturday.

In their penultimate game of the season, Croft put in their best all-round performance of the year to regain the third place taken from them the previous week by their visitors.

Croft batted first and responded to an early loss with Townsend and Bird (20) putting on 62 for the second wicket.

When a good ball from seamer Gilgrass removed Bird, Townsend was joined by Mark Whitehead, promoted up the order after impressive recent performances.

Despite losing Townsend shortly after for 40, Whitehead stood firm to keep the scoreboard ticking over. He received little support until Rich Doodey joined him at the crease after the fall of the sixth wicket with the score on 105.

With the visitors on top, Whitehead and Doodey (19) turned the tide in Croft's favour with a partnership of 54.

Whitehead eventually fell for a majestic 53 but, thanks to his efforts, the hosts had pulled themselves up to a competitive 171.

With Old Vigornians boasting one of the best batting line ups in the league, the size of the task ahead of Avoncroft could not be overstated.

It was Craig Southwick, promoted to open the bowling for the first time this season, who got Croft off to a flying start.

He removed the top three visiting batsmen in his first two overs, including both openers, Gilgrass (9) and Mendham (5), who had scored centuries the previous week.

With skipper Paul Athey bowling at the other end, the visitors looked rattled and, despite a fourth wicket stand of 48, Croft were always in control.

When Athey finally removed Firth for 27, the floodgates opened with Jon Bird (3-8) and Wayne Pugh (2-26) ripping through the lower middle order.

It was left to Anthony Pittam to tempt out the final batsmen, giving Athey his fourth catch, and dismissing the visitors for just 101 to cap another fine Avoncroft performance.