DROITWICH suffered last-gasp heartache as fellow relegation strugglers Belbroughton pipped them in a nail-biting Worcestershire County League Division One encounter.
Spa were left to rue not using up all of their overs on Saturday as the hosts’ last pair hit 20 off the final two overs to scrape home by one wicket off the penultimate ball of the day.
Belbroughton’s tail-ender Harrison Masters, who smashed 24 in an unbroken last wicket stand of 27, guided his side to victory after half-centuries from team-mates James Wilson and Geoff Day.
The result was tough to swallow for Droitwich’s all-rounder Phil Thomas who produced an exhilarating knock of 58 and then returned with figures of 3-15 from his ten-over spell.
After Max Young (32) and Connor Grant (28) had provided a platform, Thomas combined with Craig Hunt in a vital eighth-wicket stand that enabled Spa to post a total of 205.
In reply, Droitwich started in determined fashion and despite not picking up an early wicket, they suddenly got three in quick succession thanks to the disciplined line and length of Thomas.
Australian Wilson and Day then wrestled the initiative back for the home side before the fall of five wickets for 22 put Droitwich in the box seat in the topsy-turvy encounter only for last man Masters’ late show to steal the points for Belbroughton.
The only Spa win was recorded in style by the Thirds, who chased down 276 to beat Barnt Green with 10 balls to spare.
Simon Froggatt scored an unbeaten century for the visitors before Scott Fenn (48) and James King (80) put on 113 for the first wicket in reply.
Returning to form, Ashley Walton then struck a match-winning 84 not out to see his side home.
Pete Gurr hit 67 and Martin Woodward claimed three wickets for Droitwich Seconds but it was all in vain as they lost by three wickets at home to Bromyard while the Fourths were beaten by seven wickets at Barnt Green.
Luke Cooper was the only Spa player to reach double figures with 35 and Matthew Blackmore and Jacey Foster captured the five wickets to fall.
This Saturday, the First and Seconds play Cookley whilst the Thirds and Fourths take on West Malvern.
