MID-TABLE Victoria and Blakeley Hall had a disastrous start in Worcestershire League Division Three at Alvechurch and Hopwood.

Though Vic battled hard after losing two early wickets for just four runs, they were beaten by three wickets in the end.

Dave Mitchell steadied the Victoria innings down after the loss of the early wickets with 61 runs.

But despite four batsmen getting into the 20s, no-one came up with another significant score.

The team was bowled out for 194 runs in 38 overs, giving the home team 62 runs to reach their target.

In reply, Alvechurch also got off to a bad start, losing four wickets for seven runs with John Easton and Richard Thompson claiming two each.

However, the villagers reached the target in 59 overs.

Thompson finished as the most successful bowler with 3-55 in 21 overs.

Victoria 195 (6 points), Alvechurch 198-7 (20).

The seconds were also unsuccessful against Alvechurch, conceding defeat by 46 runs at Hoobrook.

Alvechurch totalled 220-7, mainly due to Wolstencroft's 85 to which the Victoria bowlers had no answer.

The wicket-keeping skills of Tom Sherriff were the highlight of the Victoria performance.

Sherriff's positioning and safe handling ensured no byes were conceded in 200 runs.

In reply, Paul Brookes and Kelvin Barrett made useful contributions of 33 and 23 respectively.

John Sunberk batted 15 overs at the end of the innings to try to rescue a draw but to no avail.

An unnecessary run-out with one over to go saved the home team.

Alveley 220-7 (24), Victoria 174 (5).