DROITWICH were unable to clinch their first Worcestershire County League Division One victory as they fell 27 runs short to Hagley despite a spirited display.
Spa now find themselves 29 points adrift of safety at the foot of the table as they could not chase down their 260-6 target at St Peter’s Fields on Saturday.
After being invited to bat, the visitors raced to 50 from the first six overs before an excellent spell from Phil Thomas and a miserly five overs from stand-in skipper Martyn Davies pegged them back.
Through the middle overs, the match swung back in Hagley’s favour as Alex Millard plundered runs from the Spa attack.
He looked set for a century before being dismissed by Carl Thomson for 87 and then a steady spell from veteran left-armer Paul Bryan ensured the innings fell way short of the post-300 score which had been threatened.
Droitwich started their reply with real intent and found themselves 72-1 off 12 overs with both Ash Fearnall (34) and Jordan Renau (22) playing some swashbuckling shots.
Their dismissals in the space of two overs then brought Bryan and Greg Mazgajczyk together to share a superb fourth-wicket stand of 120.
Buoyed by a winter playing cricket in Australia, the latter played with great confidence whilst the dogged Bryan (50) showed typical resolve as Spa slowly but surely gained a foothold in the game.
Both fell in quick succession as the hosts chased the game with Mazgajczyk perishing for 61 as the innings closed on 233-7.
The Seconds remain in the promotion places in Division Two Second XI after a sensational run chase against local rivals Bromsgrove Fourths.
Spa chased down 273 to win by seven wickets with two overs to spare, thanks to an unbroken fourth wicket partnership of 120 between Ash Walton (89 not out) and Paul Spregg (62no).
Opener James King hit 68 as Droitwich paced their reply to absolute perfection.
Earlier Joe Smith grabbed 6-54 to prevent the home side from posting a 300-plus score as Paul Hutchins (87), Barry Hope (66) and Chris Burford (32) all fell victim to the teenage spinner.
The Thirds lost by six wickets to Romsley in Division Five while the Fourths went down by 145 runs to the same opponents in Division Five Second XI despite Andy Fletcher’s 80.
Steve Randall hit a brilliant 145 for Romsley as they piled up an unassailable 291-9.
