Cricket
Hare’s best fails to save ’Croft

MATT Hare’s fine innings was not enough to save Avoncroft from a 56-run Worcestershire League Division Four home defeat against Old Hill on Saturday.

Hare hit 73 at the top of the order but Avoncroft fell short of their required target on a day when there was not another ball bowled in the division, meaning they missed the chance to steal a march on the sides around them and move to the top of the table.

Having decided to bowl first, Avoncroft found wickets difficult to come by early on as Old Hill openers Iftikar Ali (45) and Christopher Round (88) gave their side a solid start.

Ben Warwick (2-35) and David James (1-54) eventually removed the duo and wickets fell more regularly after that but John Preece (26no) and Mitchell Jeffery (20no) offered useful contributions to help push the final total to 225-8 off 46 overs. Adam Rodway (3-35) and a run out accounted for the other wickets to fall.

Hare hit seven fours and three sixes in his 73 but struggled for support at the other end.

David Apperley was the only other man to pass 20 (23, three fours, one six) as Avoncroft were dismissed for 167 in the 45th over.

Jeffery (4-38), Omar Lewis (3-49), Izmah Khan (1-35) and Joel Foster (1-27) took the wickets for the visitors.

THE rest of the local sides were washed out on another disappointing weekend where the weather came out on top.

Birmingham League outfits Barnt Green and Bromsgrove failed to get started against Leamington and Ombersley respectively whilst there was no further joy in the Worcestershire League as Belbroughton and Chaddesley Corbett saw their clashes against Burghill & Tillington and Himley abandoned.

The forecast does not offer much cause for optimism again this weekend but should the rain stop, Barnt Green host Leamington and Bromsgrove travel to Dorridge.

Belbroughton will welcome Enville, Chaddesley Corbett travel to Harvington and Avoncroft make the trip to Old Vigornians.

Regional sport »