AVONCROFT’S up and down season continued as they succumbed to a 40-run defeat in their Worcestershire County League Division Three clash at Rushwick.
After winning the toss and electing to field, Paul Athey quickly dismissed Rushwick’s opening batsman Ben Bromage (4) before Phil Hamilton (59) and Joseph Davies (47) steadied the ship.
However, a strong spell from bowlers Anthony Pittam (4-31) and Mark Jones (3-32) saw Rushwick bowled all out for 220 in the 49th over.
After Avoncroft’s opening batsmen Chris Pitt (40) and David James (58) looked to have put the visitors in a strong position at 105-0, a total collapse of their middle and lower order saw them bowled out for 180 in the 39th over.
Clive Jones did the damage with the ball for Rushwick, taking 5-11 while Chris Davies (2-22) and Bromage (2-45) also chipped in.
Avoncroft will look to return to winning ways on Saturday when they welcome third-placed Netherton to Handbury Road.
In the reverse Seconds fixture, Rushwick prevailed with a 21-run victory.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, top scorer Darren Clarke (83) guided Rushwick to 252-5 from their 50 overs with the help of some strong batting from Graham Davies (41) and Lloyd Winstanley-Cox (62).
Despite an impressive 74 from Mark Whitehead, Avoncroft narrowly missed out on claiming victory as they were bowled all out for 231 in the 46th over.
Mark Wood (25), Richard Doodey (22) and Jonty Heslop (20) contributed to the home side’s tally while Tom Davies (2-42), Winstanley-Cox (2-30) and Andrew King (2-63) got their share of the wickets for Rushwick.
