JEZ Hanson scored a half-century in vain as Droitwich Spa CC suffered a seven-wicket defeat against Himley 2nds to drop to second in the table.
Spa recorded 213-9 from their 50 overs as Hanson registered a half-ton while Jonathan Miles and Flynn Taylor also scored well for the visitors at Stourbridge Road.
However, Himley’s Greg Wright, Elliott Small and Ben Southern powered the home side to victory with seven wickets in hand in 41.4 overs.
The result means Droitwich drop to second place in the Worcestershire County League Division One table with Spa behind leaders Barnards Green 2nds on runs/wicket differential.
Spa won the toss and elected to bat as captain Martyn Davies (12) and Harry Butler (23) put on 35 runs for the first wicket.
And Miles (43) combined with Taylor (32) at the crease in a 63-run second wicket stand only for both batters to fall in quick succession.
However, Himley bowler Daniel Ross (5-68) quickly removed Noah Hunt (4) and Sam Woolley (0) as Spa slumped from 116-3 to 128-6.
Hanson (52) steadied the ship alongside Sam Smith (17) before Ben Hopkins (2-62) caught and bowled the latter.
And Ross eventually claimed the scalp of Hanson to take his fifth wicket of the innings as Spa closed on 213-9.
Droitwich took an early wicket in Himley’s reply as Joe Heywood (1-15) bowled Mathew Boroughs (5),
However, Boroughs’ dismissal brought Wright (87) and Southern (45) to the crease as the pair produced a 101-run second-wicket stand.
Wright hit 14 boundaries in a 101-ball innings while Southern found the rope 10 times before Davies (1-35) caught and bowled the latter to break up the partnership.
The home side continued to punish the Spa attack as Wright eventually fell to the bowling of Obaidullah Sherzad (1-33) just 13 runs short of a century.
And Small (54 not out) hit an unbeaten half-century to guide Himley to victory with seven wickets to spare and just under nine overs in hand.
Droitwich are next in action against Pedmore on Saturday, July 4 with play to begin at 12pm (midday) at St Peter’s Playing Fields.
