DROITWICH Spa fell an agonising four runs short in a nail-biting defeat to Bartestree and Lugwardine in Worcestershire Cricket League Division Two but only have themselves to blame.

Chasing 155, Spa slumped from 63-2 to 110-8 but were on the brink of victory with a gutsy ninth-wicket partnership between Matt Gurr and Phil Thomas before the former edged behind after another mature performance that belied his 15 years.

The visitors’ bowling attack stuck to their task and were rewarded with the dismissal of last man Dave Stephens with just one boundary needed.

Martyn Davies top scored with 38 for the hosts.

Along with Gurr, the spinner had earlier claimed three wickets but Spa were left to rue a lacklustre fielding display that saw around 20 wides bowled and several catching chances go begging.

The seconds were comfortably beaten by eight wickets in Division One at Bewdley where the home side cruised past their victory target with 17 overs to spare as Paul Beard (78 not out) and James Rawlings (48no) shared an unbroken third-wicket stand of 122.

Dave Huntbatch (36) and captain Karl Goddard (37no) were mainstays in the Droitwich innings of 154-8.

A superb spell of 5-11 in nine overs from Lee Wright helped the thirds to a comfortable eight-wicket Division Five win at Redditch thirds who were bowled out for just 62.

The fourths were dumped out of the 45-Over Knockout Cup by Worcester fourths by 84 runs.

Dan Pearson claimed 4-28 and Tom Hodgson 2-5 from 8.2 overs as the visitors scored 159.

Josh Hancock scored 21 on his senior debut but was one of only two batsmen to reach double figures as Spa were shot out for 75.