Tenbury 70 Avoncroft 74-3

TENBURY'S run of three consecutive wins in Division 4 of the Crusader Worcestershire County League ground to a sudden halt at Avoncroft on Saturday.

The free-flowing run-sprees enjoyed during the sunny spell fizzled out along with the weather as the visitors were shot out for just 70, and the home team went on to win by seven wickets.

An under-strength Tenbury side made a disastrous start when Ben Thompson edged the first ball of the game to the keeper and before a run was on the board his partner Chris Giles had joined him back in the pavilion.

With the exception of the consistent Dave Hunt the rest of the batting struggled against the pace of Paul Athey who extracted a lot of assistance from the rain-affected wicket to finish with 5-15. When Hunt (40) was fifth man out at 63 the end was in sight. The last six wickets went for just seven runs to be 70 all out inside 30 overs.

Ollie Tyler, promoted from the second team, bowled well but without any luck when Avoncroft started their reply. His partner Andy Adams (1-12) did take an early wicket but this only brought the dangerous Dave James to the middle and he soon set about the bowling.

Aaron Morris (2-25) did enjoy some success until the batsmen, seeing the rain clouds looming, lifted him for two sixes to secure an easy victory inside 20 overs before the tea interval.

To rub salt into the visitor's wounds the heavens opened as they were taking tea.