ALVECHURCH and Hopwood CC suffered an agonising two-wicket defeat against Netherton 2nds with one ball to spare in a thriller.
The home side posted 250-4 from their 50 overs at Alvechurch Cricket Ground as Mark James starred with 67 not out from 34 balls.
However, Netherton reached the required total with one ball remaining despite the best efforts of Ben Dunn and Tom Shepherd who took three wickets apiece.
The result means Alvechurch sit fourth in the Worcestershire County League Division Two table.
Church made a strong start with the bat as openers Shepherd (34) and Jack Williams (53) piled on the runs.
However, both batters fell to the bowling of Sheraz Younas (2-33) with Shepherd stumped and Williams bowled.
Nathan Buckley (35) made a useful contribution while Jack White (3) lasted just 13 deliveries as Asif Iqbal (2-26) accounted for both batters.
Alvechurch increased the run-rate in the latter stages of the innings as Dj Budden (33 not out) supported captain James at the crease.
And James propelled Church to 250 at the end of their innings as he hit eight fours and two sixes in a stunning 34-ball knock.
Alvechurch quickly removed Netherton openers Jawad Nazir (7) and Iqbal (16) as Charlie Bannister (1-56) and White (1-35) took early wickets.
However, Danyal Rehman (70) frustrated the Church attack before Dunn (3-38) eventually trapped him LBW.
Dunn also claimed the wickets of Wasim Nawaz (32) and Basim Ishaq (23).
However, Netherton’s middle order continued to score runs as Muhammad Madni (25) and Muhammad Massod (40) both made crucial contributions.
Shepherd (3-63) had Madni stumped and Massod caught before also bowling Younas for a duck.
However, Muhammad Yasin (nine not out) edged Netherton to the narrowest of victories.
Alvechurch and Hopwood are next in action against Kidderminster 2nds on Saturday, May 24 with the game to begin at 12.30pm at Chester Road.
