OVERBURY missed out on the chance to claim top spot in the Worcester Cricket Board Indoor League last week when they lost to St Benedict's by ten runs.

Jamie Powell smashed his usual early quickfire retirement quota before Jones and Shepherd continued the onslaught before they too retired having scored at 11 runs an over.

Haynes and Westmore brought a temporary halt to the run charge but Gardener and Sid Powell lifted the Bees to a healthy total of 120-2.

Lacking ill skipper Jamie Munro, the chasers made a bad start when Haynes was brilliantly caught by Jamie Powell who then pocketed another catch to dismiss Bull.

Westmore received little support from the lower order and, when he was left to mount a solo challenge with 52 still needed, the odds were stacked against him.

However, he had other ideas and added 50 valiant runs until he was run-out off the penultimate delivery 11 runs short of victory.

On the same night, Dumble-ton consolidated their place at the summit after a the easiest of victories over The Box-men.

Openers Powell and Green added a rapid half-century before excellent contributions from Court, Hulse and Gibson helped Dumbleton reach 147-3 with the returning Powell and Gibson smashing 32 off the final two overs.

A breathtaking short-leg catch by Hulse to dismiss the prolific Green was a blow from which the chasers never recovered.

The stumping of Mitchell and removal of Ellis first ball left the scoreboard reading a miserable 37 after six overs and The Boxmen managed two fewer from the next six as Dumbleton won by 69 runs.

Fixtures for Tuesday: Dumbleton v Overbury, St Benedict's v Ashton.