AVONCROFT saw their promotion hopes in Worcestershire Division Three suffer a setback after losing to Cleobury Mortimer by four wickets.

After losing the toss, Croft were put into bat on their home ground and recorded a useful 251-9 in their 50 overs.

Opening batsman Sam Hughes (63) Ben Warwick (66) were in excellent form with the bat but the hosts also lost Will Sach (1), David James (6) and Joe Ingle (0) cheaply.

Jon Bird (37), Craig Hughes (24) and Ian Carpenter ensured Croft's tail wagged as they set their opponents a decent total.

In reply, Cleobury saw Ben Griffiths (22) dismissed cheaply when bowled by Paul Athey (1-34) and caught by Ben Warwick.

Grant Carbines (30) was dismissed by David James (2-44) but middle order batsmen James Manley (41), David Shorter (66) and Nick Griffiths (46) steered Avoncroft's opponents to 253-6.

Croft go to Chaddesley Corbett on Saturday and entertain Harborne on Monday (both 1pm start).

Chaddesley Corbett have been pulled into a relegation battle after being deducted 101 points for fielding an unregistered player by accident in their defeat of Netherton last month.

That means they are third from bottom, despite eight wins and two losses this summer.

On Saturday, they defeated Aveley by seven wickets.

Muhammad Saddiq took five wickets while Waqur Ahmad and Shahed Zia took two each as Alveley were dismissed for 140, despite a batting 72 by Mohsin Khan.

Chaddesley made 141-3 in reply in 31 overs, with Mohammed Ramzan (39) and Rob Hirons (64) amog the runs.

After Corbett play Avoncroft at home on Saturday, they go to Bredon on Monday (1pm start).