UNDER-STRENGTH Avoncroft suffered a disappointing defeat at the hands of Rushwick in Worcestershire County League Division Three on Saturday.

Croft were missing a host of first-team regulars but will be kicking themselves after getting into a strong position to win the game.

The Hanbury Road-based side won the toss and dismissed Rushwick for 220, with David James (3-32) and Mark Jones (4-31) taking the wickets.

Avoncroft’s opening batsmen of Chris Pitt (40) and James (58) had provided an impressive platform as they made 105-0 before collapsing to 180 all out.

Clive Jones was the main man for Rushwick, taking 5-11.

Captain Craig Hughes said: “Unfortunately, myself and a few other players were missing on Saturday.

“It was disappointing to lose considering that we had done a lot right to put us in a strong position to win the game.”

Avoncroft are set to welcome back the skipper, Sam Hughes, Dan Elliott and John Hunter for Saturday’s clash against Netherton (1pm start).

Meanwhile, in Division Two, Chaddesley Corbett defeated Evesham by five runs.

Put into bat, Corbett made 165 all out with Ibrahim Jiva hitting 78.

Evesham came close but were dismissed for 156 while chasing a revised target of 161.

Muhammad Saddiq (4-31) was the pick of the bowlers for Chaddesley, who remain second in the table.

They go to Lye in the league on Saturday (1pm start).