AVONCROFT Cricket Club First XI produced their most disappointing performance of the season as they lost by six runs at home to Amblecote and Wollaston.

Having lost by nine runs at Amblecote on the opening day of the season, Paul Athey's side again failed to exert any control in a game that could have strengthened their position at the top of Worcestershire County League division four.

Athey, who with 5-56 took his third five-wicket haul in five matches, said: "The fielding was probably as bad as it's been all season and every time we looked like getting back in the game we lost another wicket.

"We really should have beaten them in both games, but we didn't deserve to get anything out of either of the games because we didn't perform."

Bowling first, Croft looked lethargic early on, with inconsistent bowling and poor fielding contributing to Amblecote's positive start.

It was not until Jimmy Deakin (2-42) and Athey returned for their second spells that Croft really fought their way back into contention.

The visitors fell from 113-2 to 124-5 and would have been in far more trouble had three simple catches not been dropped.

These proved costly as Amblecote put on 56 for the sixth wicket before Mark Whitehead added a run-out to his two catches to dismiss Bullock for 21.

Athey's five-wicket haul saw the visitors dismissed for 188.

Croft started well in reply with Rich Sinclair (30) and John Goode (13) putting on 45 for the first wicket before both fell in quick succession.

An aggressive 38 from Whitehead looked to have turned the game in Croft's favour, but his dismissal left Croft needing 72 runs.

Deakin struck a fluent 17 before going, leaving Jon Bird and 14-year-old Andy Nicol to find 20 runs.

Bird was on course until he was well caught for 30 just six runs short of victory.