ANOTHER poor batting display saw Droitwich slip to the bottom of Worcestershire Cricket League Division One with a 98-run defeat to Cookley.

But there were at least some positive and encouraging signs in the field from Spa.

After winning the toss they started brightly and reduced Cookley to 40-4 before Jonathan Stanaway (39) and Paul Thomas (88 not out) rescued their side with a century fifth-wicket stand.

From their 10 overs Phil Thomas grabbed 2-19 and Jack Sealey 2-30.

Jack Eaton collected 4-24 in the final throes of the innings that included a team hat-trick featuring a stumping, run out and caught behind.

First XI debutant Joe Smith bowled with great control in his 10-over spell for 45 runs. 

With their key batsmen present Spa were reasonably confident of chasing down their 201 target and got on top at 66-2 with Jordan Renau and Greg Mazgajczyk looking reasonably set.

But when Danny Soley removed them both in quick succession he quickly exposed Spa’s rookie middle order in a spell of 5-25 that sent the reply into nosedive as Spa folded to 102 all out.

Cookley also won the seconds clash at St Peter’s Fields where the hosts lost by five wickets but remain six points ahead of their conquerors after the promotion clash.

Captain Karl Goddard led with 83 not out in the home total of 178-8 when he shared a crucial sixth-wicket stand of 62 with Lewis Keen (28).

The skipper then picked up 3-27 from 10 overs which included the dismissal of top scorer Matthew Goode for 56 to set up an exciting finish.

With five wickets down and 25 needed from the last five overs Cookley’s sixth-wicket pairing of Matt McCann and Liam Platt kept their cool to see them home with six balls to spare.

The thirds and fourths were both on the receiving end of hammerings from Barnt Green.

Youngster Hayden Froggatt’s superb 105 not out was the backbone of Green’s 325-3 as Spa’s thirds used nine bowlers in a 129-run loss at St Peter’s Fields.

Captain Darren Cullen also weighed in with 85.

Joe Heywood hit 67 in the Spa reply of 196-7.

A young, inexperienced fourths side were shot out for 78 all out with Bob Clarke claiming 4-15.

Green made 252-5 despite a miserly opening nine-over spell from Jaycey Foster that went for just 23 runs and three wickets for Archie Fenn.

On Saturday the firsts begin the second half of the season with the visit of Worcester while the seconds go to Wormelow.

The thirds and fourths meet Stourbridge.