A GOOD all-round performance from Dean Aldridge helped Stone to victory at Avoncroft in the Worcestershire County League Division Four.

The visitors were asked to bat first on a lively track. Captain Gary Bourke had to go to hospital after being hit in the mouth by a ball, but Aldridge and Mark Taylor knuckled down with a 55-run partnership for the first wicket.

Stone began to score more freely against Avoncroft's second-string attack as the wicket quickly dried out.

Aldridge was finally dismissed for 68 in the 36th over, with Stone on 124-3.

The bowlers then began to find their form as Stone scored a moderate 42 runs in the last nine overs.

Avoncroft's innings began badly with Pete Jukes out in the second over.

Captain Chris Townsend and Jon Bird started to rebuild and the home side looked to be cruising at 80-2 off 24 overs.

The introduction of slow bowler Aldridge changed the game. He took 4-15 in six overs, and Ian Tomlinson bagged the crucial wicket of Bird for 55.

Durnell wrapped things up in the 42nd over to clinch maximum points.

Stone 166-4 (Dean Aldridge 68, Mark Taylor 28), Avoncroft 131 (Dean Aldridge 4-15, Peter Durnell 3-32).

q STOURPORT Cricket Club endured another miserable Saturday when both teams were beaten, though the seconds put up a brave battle before going down to a two-run defeat.

The first team were thrashed at Lye by 144 runs.

The home side hammered 261-5, Whitehouse top-scoring with an unbeaten 68, while Andy Platt captured two wickets.

The Stourport reply never threatened to get near the target, and only skipper Phil Williams (21) and Julian Preece (17) offered resistence as they were all out for 117.

Lye 261-5 (Whitehouse 68no), Stourport 117 (Phil Williams 21).

Stourport 2nd v Lye - Lye won by two runs.

Lye posted a total of 158, with Kevin Haycock taking 4-45.

In reply Stourport looked good for victory at 109-2 but the dismissal of Eddie Giles for 70 triggered a collapse and a run-out off the last ball of the match saw the home side all out for 156.

Lye 158 (Kevin Haycock 4-45), Stourport 156 (Eddie Giles 70).

q AFTER Chaddesley Corbett Cricket Club's Worcestershire County League Division One fixture at Old Elizabethans was abandoned, they went down to a 71-run defeat against Pelsall in a rearranged encounter.

Chaddesley won the toss and chose to bowl on a pitch which assisted the quicker bowlers.

Dan Wiseman and Tom Boden were the pick of the bowlers bagging two wickets each but Pelsall finished on 234-8.

In reply Chaddesley raced to 40 in the seventh over, but when Kevin Truswell dragged on for 21 Chaddesley's middle order was exposed.

Matt Boden played well for 51 from 66 balls but when he was caught down the leg-side with the score on 99, Chaddesley's hopes were almost gone and soon after they were all out in the 41st over.

Pelsall 234-8 (P Grainger 52no, Tom Boden 2-36, Dan Wiseman 2-37, Kevin Truswell 2-50); Chaddesley 163 (Matt Boden 51, D Pennell 3-27).

Chaddesley 2nd v Old Elizabethans - OEs won by 24 runs.

OEs 110 (Tom Boden 4-24), Chaddesley 86 (Dan Wiseman 24, R Gregory 7-27).

q IN Division Four of the Worcestershire County Cricket League, Cutnall Green gained a winning draw at Brintons, though Neil Waldron had taken 6-44 for the home side.

Cleobury also gained a winning draw, Grant Carbine taking 5-40 against Worcester Corinthians.

Chainwire dropped to the bottom of Division Five after having 15 points deducted on Saturday.

They failed to raise a side to play MBS Newland.

Results

Division One first teams: Old Elizabethans v Chaddesley Corbett - match abandoned, eight points each.

Division One second teams: Old Elizabethans 110 (24 points), Chaddesley Corbett 86 (4) (S Phillips 7-26).

Division Two first teams: Bewdley 213-6 (24) (Simon Smith 105), Cookley 96 (2) (Scott Fowler 5-30); Lye 261-5 (24) (C Whitehouse 68no, H Stokes 56no), Stourport 117 (2).

Division Two second teams: Cookley 145 (24) (Mark Guest 6-44), Bewdley 139 (5); Lye 158 (24) ((Siddaway 58), Stourport 156 (6) (Eddie Giles 70).

Division Three South first teams: Hallow v Victoria and Blakeley - match abandoned, eight points each.

Division Three South second teams: Dominies and Guild 168 (24), Kidderminster 83 (4) (C West 5-36).

Division Four: Stone 166-4 (24) (Dean Aldridge 68), Avoncroft 131 (2) (J Bird 55, Dean Aldridge 4-15); Bridewell 129-9 (3), Cape Hill Victoria 130-5 (20); Cutnall Green 158 (13) (A Gummer 51, Neil Waldron 6-44), Brintons 133-8 (7); Cleobury 184 (15) (M Blower 57), Worcester Corinthians 111-9 (6) (Grant Carbine 5-40).

Division Five: MBS Newland v Chainwire - MBS awarded the win and 20 points, Chainwire -15.