DROITWICH under-16s lost their first league game of the season by 23 runs in a closely fought game with Alvechurch at St Peters Fields.

The visitors batted first in excellent conditions and soon lost Edward Gwilliam for two as he was well caught by Alex Billington off the bowling of Tom Jallands.

This brought Mike Duggins (38) to the crease and with skipper James Pilkington, the second wicket pair put on 137 runs.

Pilkington was the dominant partner as he hit 11 fours and one six as the Spa bowlers had no answer to his inventive batting.

Pilkington remained not out on 85 as the final ten overs brought 100 runs as Alvechurch closed on 159-2. For Spa, the pick of the bowlers was Jallands with 2-17 and George Harris showed promise with his newly developed off spin.

However, the home bowlers continued to struggle with bowling straight as 21 wides were conceded.

Droitwich’s reply got off to a steady reply through Leon Payne and Tommy Ross as they added 37 for the first eight overs.

Once in, they both accelerated and when Ross fell for 43 the score was 81 off 12 overs.

The Alvechurch bowlers replied well and bowled with better control, led by Evans, who picked up the crucial wicket of Ross and finished with one for 19.

Payne soon followed for 34 and despite some late hitting by George Taylor (21) and Alex Billington (12), Spa fell 23 runs short.