DROITWICH’S batting wilted on a sweltering afternoon at Eastnor as Spa suffered a heavy 153-run defeat against their Worcestershire Cricket League Division One relegation rivals.

An all-too-familiar early collapse saw the visitors bowled out for less than three figures once again with five ducks on the scorecard as the team slipped into the relegation zone with the loss and Pedmore’s win at Burghill.

The only early batsman who looked in form was Jez Hanson as he played some classical shots in his 18 before being dismissed by Shahid Ahmed who finished with 4-23.

A procession of wickets left Spa with little or no chance of victory before some pride was salvaged between Carl Thomson and Paul Bryan (34 not out) with a last-wicket partnership of 39 before the former was last man out with the score on 96.

Spa had the better of the early exchanges as the hosts made a cagey start in the face of accurate spells from Max Young and Jack Sealey.

Sealey bowled his 10 overs straight through in the heat and was unlucky not to pick up three or four wickets.

But Spa were unable to make great inroads into the batting line-up and the runs started to flow on a good wicket and fast outfield. Skipper Jake Young juggled his bowling resources but it was not until his second spell that wickets started tumbling.

Eastnor were bowled out for 249 with one over left with the captain picking up 5-49 in a bright spot on a dismal afternoon for Spa.

The seconds tasted defeat for the first time but remain in the promotion places as they were bowled out for just 130 by Chaddesley Corbett who won by seven wickets.

The thirds and fourths were both beaten by Pershore by 26 runs and six wickets respectively.

Tom Goss hit 85 for the fourths whose debutants Paul Cowlard and Archie Fenn picked up wickets against the league leaders.

On Saturday the firsts host Hagley, the seconds travel to Bromsgrove and the thirds and fourths meet Romsley.