OLD Elizabethans slumped to a second consecutive heavy Division Two defeat when they lost to Penn by eight wickets at the Memorial Ground.

With the start delayed by an hour due to water under the covers, it was no surprise when Penn inserted the home side on a challenging pitch for the batsmen.

Old Elizabethans lost both their openers with only 14 on the board.

Allan Brudar (16) and Mark Groves (15) set about repairing the early damage but the former was bowled 18 runs later.

Skipper Sean Cairney (26) entered the crease and the pair added 39 before Groves became the first of Dave Heavyside's six victims.

In a spell of tight, controlled bowling and on a pitch that gave him assistance, Heavyside ripped out the middle and lower order batsmen who seemingly could find no answer to his bowling.

When Heavyside took the final wicket, he had achieved the amazing return of 6-6 in 11.2 overs, including seven maidens.

With only 113 runs to defend, the OEs' attack were always going to find things difficult.

Stuart Phillips (2-51) took the only two wickets to fall, removing both openers, but not before Penn were over half-way to their target.

O'Sullivan (35 not out) and Heavyside (18 not out) saw the visitors home in only 24 overs. The Worcester side's cause was not helped by two dropped catches, but Penn proved far too strong.

Old Elizabethans 113, Penn 114-2.

OEs Seconds just failed in a dramatic attempt to win a shortened Division Three game at Penn.

With the match reduced to 28 overs a side due to wet weather, the proceedings started after tea.

Penn scored 125-6 with OEs bowling superbly through Ed Smith (1-14), Chris Shewring (1-38) and Pete Boyle (3-19). The fielding was also impressive, as proved by David Phillips' stunning diving catch.

OEs finished on 121-6 with 15-year-old debutant Paul Biggerstaff top scoring with 45 from 52 balls, including three towering sixes.

Boyle added 20 and James Bull 24 but OEs just failed to get eight runs from a final over in poor light.

Penn 126-6, Old Elizabethans 121-6.