DESPITE posting their highest league score of the summer last Saturday, Badsey suffered their first Worcestershire County League Division Four defeat.

Adam Westmacott (85) and Sam Thomson (52no) were the chief contributors to a total of 271-9 when skipper Dave Powell declared.

Nick Powell helped Westmacott add 93 for the second wicket before Mike Biltcliffe's 41 further boosted the scoring rate.

Thomson's arrival at the crease saw 57 runs added in the last nine overs and Badsey's promotion hopes seemed to be set for another boost.

However, Chainwire had reduced the target by 40 after ten overs but a couple of victims for Steve Powell again left the hosts in the ascendancy.

A third wicket fell at 118 and, with 20 overs remaining, the visitors still needed 150 runs for victory.

That became 118 off 15 but, with opener James seeing the ball well, the match was still firmly in the balance.

A fourth wicket partnership of 116 guided the chasers to 234-4 and Chainwire then proceeded to throw the bat to great effect and James, who finished two short of a century, hit the winning boundary off the second ball of the final over.

Thomson and Westmacott were in fine form the next afternoon when Badsey defeated Tividale in a friendly.

The 16-year-olds both took four wickets to dismiss the visitors for 235 in reply to Badsey's289-6 that included 106 not out from Westmacott and 92 from Thomson. The duo shared a sixth wicket stand of 218 in 24 overs.