DAVE James and Wayne Pugh destroyed the Old Halesonians batting order as Avoncroft won by three wickets at Hanbury Road last Saturday.

James (6-30) and Pugh (4-14) helped dismiss the visitors for just 89 but Paul Athey's side needed Pugh to also be alert with the bat to fire Croft over the line from 75-7.

James got Avoncroft off to a flying start, continuing his good form with the ball, by taking three early wickets.

The visitors recovered to 60-3, largely thanks to an aggressive 34 from J Freeman, but the introduction of Wayne Pugh put the hosts firmly back on top.

Pugh (4-14) took three wickets in his first five balls, and with James still charging in at the other end, Croft continued to apply the pressure.

From there, it was a case of how long Old Halesonians would hold out, and the answer wasn't long in coming.

James completed a mammoth 17-over spell by taking three of the final four wickets to fall, finishing with figures of 6-30 as the visitors were skittled out for 89.

Paul Athey's side were taking nothing for granted in reply, given that Old Halesonians had dismissed their last two opponents for 51 and 66.

But Croft started to lose wickets at regular intervals, giving the visitors the belief they needed.

At 75-7 it looked as though Croft had thrown it away. But with James Aldred providing a solid base at one end, it was left to Pugh to finish the game in style.

In the space of a couple of minutes, Pugh twice charged down the wicket after hitting a four and a six in quick succession to secure victory.