WORCESTER suffered their first home defeat for two seasons in the Birmingham Cricket League when they lost by five wickets to Sutton Coldfield in Division One after a poor all-round display.

Chris Eyers won the toss for Worcester and decided to bat on a good-looking pitch but his batsmen found runs hard to come by and they slumped to 15-3. Ian Stowe and Chris Smedley set about repairing the damage before Stowe was caught at short leg for 23.

Smedley continued to defy the visitors attack and made a solid 61no including nine fours, and with help from the 'tail' Worcester managed to scramble to 180-9 off their 55 overs. Pick of the Sutton bowlers was Raoul East with 4-50.

When Sutton replied they made batting look very easy and got off to a blistering start, averaging eight runs per over with Dave Dandy hitting a quick fire 37.

Further good knocks came from Mike Dean and East, with Dean compiling a superb 51 including some outstanding cover drives, as his side raced to 181-5 in only 28 overs to secure a fine win.

Phil Knight did his best to stem the flow of runs taking 2-43. Worcester took four points to Sutton's 20.

Worcester's second team batting continues to give problems and led to a five-wicket defeat when they visited Shrewsbury.

Worcester could only manage 127 all out, Richard Jew top scoring with 47 as the rest of the order failed at the hands of Hugh Banks taking 5-14.

Shrewsbury took control of their reply early and thanks to Alan Lloyd (39) and Tom Someville (53) they reached 130-5 in the 41st over. Best bowler for Worcester was Rich Franklin with 2-41, Worcester taking three points to Shrewsbury's 20.