AVONCROFT finished the season with a good win at home against Cleobury Mortimer in Worcestershire Division Three.

Croft claimed the toss after the late arrival of Cleobury and elected to bowl first and leading wicket taker Paul Athey (1-8) struck early to set croft on their way.

After a tight opening spell, on came Andy Pittam who rolled back the years striking straight away and rolling through Cleobury’s top order – finishing with 4-41.

A run out by Ben Warwick capped a fine display in the field and Craig Hughes (2-12) and Dan Elliott (1-35) were the other wicket takers as Cleobury were all out for 149.

Avoncroft’s reply got off to a bad start losing leading run scorer David James (5) early, soon followed by Sam Hughes (10) and Ben Warwick (0) and the in-form Jon Bird (8).

But opener Chris Pitt held the innings together with a solid defence against a good Cleobury attack.

Joined by Craig Hughes, they set about rebuilding the innings with Pitt accumulating the runs and Hughes being more the aggressor.

Both fell just before the winning line with Pitt well caught and bowled for a defiant 32 before Hughes went the following over for 64.

With only eight runs to win Dan Elliott came in to finish off the innings with two fours to finish the game, as Croft finished a good season in fifth place.