Cricket
Spa slump to a heavy defeat

DROITWICH CC's inconsistent form continued at the weekend when they crashed to a heavy eight-wicket Worcestershire League Division One defeat at Pedmore.

Spa were put in on a green wicket which offered extravagant seam movement to the home side's opening attack of Asif Iqbal and Dave Skelding.

In such favourable bowling conditions, Droitwich did well to reach 29-1, but when the returning Jerome Connor was caught behind, wickets started to tumble.

Stuart Bryan looked in good touch for 18, but when he fell to the impressive Iqbal for 18 only the Young brothers, Max (10) and Jake (12), reached double figures.

Change bowlers Richard Musk and Chris Bourne kept the pressure on and the latter finished the innings in fine style with a hat-trick as Spa fell for 75 in the 28th over.

Spa knew they needed early wickets if they were to have a chance of getting back into the match but they were met with aggressive batting as Pedmore raced to their target in 13 overs for the loss of two wickets.

None of Droitwich's bowlers could find the required line and length to accompany a still helpful bowling pitch as Skelding followed up his two wickets with a quickfire 36no.

Spa start the second half of the season on Saturday against bottom of the table Worcester and will be hoping to find a more consistent spell of form to challenge at the top.

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