ONCE again Avoncroft managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the Worcestershire County League Division Four.

Having restricted title-chasing Stone to 166, the Croft batting failed to capitalise on a winning position.

The home side mustered only 131 in the face of a strong fightback by Stone.

Asked to bat first on a damp wicket, the visitors soon lost captain Gary Bourke who retired hurt after edging a lifting ball into his mouth.

But Dean Aldridge and Mark Taylor dug in to combat the pace of Paul Athey.

When Taylor was finally dismissed for 28, Aldridge upped the tempo with some stylish batting before he was caught for a well made 68.

Good running between the wickets and a few lusty blows saw Stone to 166-4 but with the wicket getting easier for batting, Croft looked to be in the driving seat at half time.

Athey, with 1-29 off 14 overs, and Craig Southwick were the pick of the bowlers.

The Croft innings began badly with a wicket being lost off the first ball of the second over.

Skipper Chris Townsend (15) and Jon Bird led the fightback and at 110-3 Croft were in command with Bird starting to dominate. Sadly for Croft, it was to be another false dawn. The introduction of spinner Aldridge brought immediate success as the last seven wickets were lost for just 21 runs - Croft fell 35 runs short.

Aldridge's spell was rewarded with figures of 4-15 while Pete Durnell chipped in with 3-32.

The defeat leaves Croft firmly in the bottom three.