AVONCROFT U14s put in two promising performances over the weekend but fell just short of victory on both occasions.

On Friday, they lost to Alvechurch by five wickets in the last over of a pulsating clash.

Avoncroft's innings of 99 all out was slightly below par, but there were good contributions from Deakin (23), Wozniak (18), Mitchell (16) and Taylor (15 not out).

The bowling performance, however, was much better as Deakin (0-7 off four overs), Luke Townsend (0-7 off three overs) and Rodway (4-25) all put in their best showing of the season.

* On Sunday, Avoncroft lost by 24 runs to Belbroughton in the quarter-finals of the Bedford Shield.

Another good bowling performance restricted Belbroughton to 107-8 off their 20 overs. Richard Townsend was the pick of the bowlers with 4-21.

There were also good contributions from Adam Rodway (2-19) and Ashley Taylor (1-5).

Avoncroft's run chase was restricted early on by a beautiful spell of bowling from K McNally (1-6 off four overs).

This put pressure on Croft and despite good knocks of 30 from Luke Townsend and 16 from James Poulter, they finished on 83-7.