AVONCROFT CC First XI's David James went on the rampage last Saturday by removing all ten batsmen during his side's four-wicket home victory over Amblecote and Wollaston.

James, who has also hit 173 not out with the bat this season, recorded figures of 9-75 from 25 overs and ran out the other batsman with a fine direct throw.

But James, who normally opens with medium-fast bowling, was only asked to bowl spin as a few players were on holiday.

He said: "It was funny really, I don't normally bowl spin.

"We were a bit thin on the ground so they asked if I could bowl spin and it worked out.

"It wasn't just an individual performance, it was a team effort."

His achievement also marks a personal best, eclipsing his previous best of 8-36.

Anvoncroft put the visitors into bat and the openers got off to a slow start with Avoncroft exerting pressure with accurate bowing combined with a committed fielding display.

James claimed his first victim when an Ambelcote error of judgement on a single run rewarded him with a direct hit run out to dismiss Pearsall.

But, with little success with his pace bowling, James turned his hand to off-spin, and proceeded to dismantle the opposition,

Amblecote were put on the back foot and James maintained an immaculate line and length to take spectacular figures of 9-75.

His performance was supported by fine catching from Richard Sinclair, Pugh and Carpenter and wicket-keeper Chris Townsend, who sent two batsmen back to the pavilion with sharp stumpings.

Bingham was the only visiting batsman who offered any resistance to Crofts' attacking display with a calculated 41 as his side was dismissed for 177.

Avoncroft got their reply off to a fine start with Sinclair and Townsend taking the score to 59 inside 15 overs before Sinclair (28) was bowled by Bingham.

Croft then went into their shells for a brief period as they lost the wickets of James (11), John Bird (27) and Craig Southwick for one while only adding 46 runs to their total.

Another gritty performance from Townsend and Rich Doodey (22) stabilised the innings and virtually saw Croft home before losing two quick wickets.

Townsend (71no) finished the game for the hosts with an array of crisp boundaries to leave Avoncroft on 179-6 and give them victory by four wickets.

In the reverse fixture, Amblecote and Wollaston recorded a winning draw.

Batting first, Amblecote posted 215-9 with Croft's Pete Whitehead bowling tightly for figures of 3-24.

In reply, a superb 89 not out from Rob Holden left Avoncroft requiring 12 runs from the last over for victory.

But Holden and Whitehead managed just seven runs, finishing five short on 211-5.