INCONSISTENT Avoncroft kept up their erratic form in the Worcestershire County League Division Three when they got the better of Kempsey in a hard-fought game.

Croft kept up their habit on following up a loss with a win with a disciplined display against a disgruntled Kempsey side.

The home side had lost the toss and were put into bat but they made 200 all out.

Sam Hughes (43) and David James (35) got them off to a good start, while Ben Warwick (34) and Dan Elliott (26) also chipped in.

Avoncroft wicket-taker Jonathan Hunt returned to the startling line-up after missing the last two games and he roared back impressively with a 5-53.

Kempsey slumped to 21-3 and despite several of their batsmen being disappointed with the umpire’s decisions, Croft dismissed them for 159 in 34 wickets.

Club spokesman Rod Braithwaite said: “It was a good game of cricket and a lot closer than the score suggests.

“Jon Hunter is having a great season, he is very accurate and played well against Kempsey.”

Croft will be without Hunter, who joined the club from Colwall, for the next two games.

They go to Himbleton on Saturday (1pm start).

Braithwaite said: “Himbleton are very strong at home, and it’s a big ground to bat on so it’s going to be a hard game.”