PAUL ATHEY and Alex Brunt inspired Avoncroft to a five-wicket victory over Himley to move up to fifth in Worcestershire County League Division Three.
Himley were put into bat after losing the toss but were quickly reduced to 34-4, thanks to a devastating spell of quick bowling from Athey (4-26) and Jonathan Hunter (1-28).
And when Andy Pittam (1-23) came into the attack and had Himley’s No. 5 Dan Newman caught at short cover, it started to look like Croft had the game won.
However, Himley skipper Tom Wall (52) and Dan Holmes (39) put on a 106-run stand to claw the game back.
Croft’s Will Sach (1-24) broke the partnership before stand-in skipper Dan Elliott (3-38) bowled Himley out for 185.
In reply, Croft started promisingly as Matt Hare (15) and Alex Brunt put on 84 for the first wicker before the former was caught out.
Wickets continued to fall but Brunt kept plundering the boundaries to take himself to his maiden first XI century.
His innings, which consisted of 14 boundaries and seven maximums, was eventually curtailed on 130 when he was bowled out by Jack Hicklin.
It was then left to Jonty Heslop to hit the winning runs as Croft reached 186-5 in the 25th over.
Croft make the trip to fourth-placed Bartestree & Lugwardine on Saturday.
