AVONCROFT'S promotion hopes took a blow this weekend after losing to Dominies and Guild by six wickets.

Avoncroft, without key players Paul Athey, Craig Southwick and Chris Townsend, were always going to be up against it playing fellow promotion challengers, Dominies and Guild.

After losing the vital toss and being put into bat on a reasonable wicket, Avoncroft got off to a slow start due to accurate bowling.

At 79 for 5 Croft were on the back-foot until John Bird and Andy Pittam (32) restored the balance with a seventh wicket partnership of 107.

It was a welcome return to form for Bird whose 93 runs helped see Avoncroft to a respectable 202 all out in a rain reduced innings of 47 overs.

After the break showers continued to fall making the fielding conditions extremely difficult for the Avoncroft team. With a saturated ball and a slippery outfield the Croft bowlers battled to find line and length, and the usually fine fielding display failed to materialise.

The Dominies and Guild batsmen were in an attacking mood, having realised that due to the threat of more showers, their run rate was crucial.

With five overs to spare, Williams (59 not out) and Hill (27 not out) saw Dominies and Guild home, and Avoncroft were left to pick up just six points.