BEN Evans scored a century in vain as Alvechurch and Hopwood CC lost for the first time this season in a five-wicket defeat at Netherton 3rds.
Alvechurch opener Evans blasted 25 boundaries in a fine knock as the visitors posted 285-8 from their 45 overs.
However, Netherton reached the required total with five wickets to spare at the end of the penultimate over of their reply.
Despite the defeat, Alvechurch remain top of the Worcestershire County League Division Six (North) table.
Alvechurch won the toss and elected to bat as Evans (129) and Mike Gilmour (12) put on 47 runs for the first wicket.
And Evans then combined with Stephen Delgado (17) in a 63-run second-wicket stand while Gandhar Babre (4) retired not out.
Mike Reuben (30) helped Alvechurch pass the 200-run mark before Rehan Haider (3-70) trapped him LBW.
And Haider then caught and bowled Huzail Chaudhry (19) before Evans finally departed after hitting 24 fours and one maximum as Taimur Mahmmood (3-31) took the crucial wicket.
Haider and Mahmmood both took three wickets apiece as Alvechurch closed on 285-5 at the end of their innings.
Netherton made a blistering start with the bat in reply as openers Ahsan Zaman (70) and Jibran Riaz (104) enjoyed a 150-run first-wicket stand.
Both opening batters recorded half-centuries while Riaz went on to score a ton before Evans (1-52) accounted for Zaman to break up the partnership.
Max Dugmore (2-31) then bowled Simon Oseland (24) and finally accounted for Riaz with Netherton on 222-3.
Reuben (1-54) quickly removed Mahmmood (1) but Tusaeef Gill (54) reached a half-century to put the home side within touching distance of victory.
Joshua Cliff (1-45) removed Gill but Netherton scored the remaining runs with one over to spare and one-wicket in hand.
Alvechurch are next in action against Lye 3rds on Saturday, July 4 with play to begin at 12.30pm at Stourbridge Road.
