AVONCROFT suffered a 123-run defeat at the hands of Cleobury Mortimer in Worcestershire Division Three on Saturday.

On a day where batting was difficult for both sides in wet conditions, Cleobury’s platform for success was provided by Craig Shorter’s 78 as well as 64 runs from David Shorter.

The Bromsgrove side had won the toss and elected to bowl first and made a solid start.

Ben Warwick bowled opening bat Ben Griffiths for a duck, while Paul Athey dismissed Ed Kemp for just four runs.

But Michael Green bagged 20 runs before he fell victim to Athey and Craig Shorter started to accumulate the runs.

While David Leach was removed for one by Athey, who took 3-35, David Shorter also reached a good score to guide Mortimer to 208-9.

Avoncroft’s reply never really got going and, apart from Will Sach (13), Matt Hare (27) and Sam Hughes (23), nobody else reached double figures as they were dismissed for a paltry 85 in the 26th over.

Croft entertain local rivals Chaddesley Corbett on Saturday (1pm start).