OLD Elizabethans went down to a three-wicket defeat in the Birmingham Cricket League Division Two at Solihull Blossomfield.

OEs were invited to bat first on a green, damp pitch which promised difficult batting conditions right from the start of the game.

After both the openers had gone without scoring, top scorer Steve May (27) and Richard Silk (11) added 23 for the third wicket. Due to a combination of some tight bowling and the conditions, the Worcester side reached the halfway mark with four wickets down and only 48 runs on the board.

Partnerships just could not be built and, with the exception of Stuart Phillips (20), the tail end batsmen went cheaply as Old Elizabethans were bowled out for 123 in 53 overs.

Greenwood produced the best Solihull bowling return with 5-37.

In reply, Solihull got off to an equally slow start but had only lost two wickets by the drinks break. However, from a position of 70-2, the Old Elizabethans attack started to make inroads with Stuart Phillips (3-24) and Steve May (3-42), supported by Matt Sprague (1-14) who took the next five wickets for the addition of only 54 runs.

However they could not stop Solihull passing their target with only four balls to spare. Bevins and Davies top scored with 22 and Stuart Tipper took two good catches.

Old Elizabethans 123 (4 Points) Steve May 27, Stuart Phillips 20

Solihull Blossomfield 124-7 (20 Points) Stuart Phillips 3-24, Steve May 3-42

Solihull Blossomfield Won by three wickets.

The OEs second team won a one-sided affair at the Memorial Ground by seven wickets.