TOP of the table Highley beat a disappointing Avoncroft Seconds on Sat-urday.

Things started well as Paul Athey took a wicket with the first ball of the match for the second successive game.

This brought Chris Brown to the crease and he took advantage of several slices of luck to help Highley towards a decent total.

At 163-3, the visitors looked set for a considerable score but Anthony Pittam changed the momentum. He removed Brown for 80 and Unitt for 40.

Athey (4-63) returned to keep the pressure on and, with the help of Rod Braithwaite (2-26), reduced Highley to 176-9.

They would have been all out one run later if not for a strange umpiring decision. The last pair then recorded an unbroken 34-run partnership as Highley reached 210-9 off 50 overs.

Croft were still confident of winning but the loss of early wickets put them firmly on the back foot.

Richard Doodey (24) and Steve George (28) batted Avoncroft back into the game, but once they were dismissed, all hopes of victory disappeared.

Athey (20 not out) tried to bat out for the draw, but after a 17-over vigil, he ran out of partners as Croft slumped to 139 all out.