ANOTHER abject batting display saw Droitwich Spa suffer a second successive Worcestershire County League Division One defeat – a result which sinks them to the bottom of the table.
Chasing 180 against Feckenham, Spa were shot out for just 116 with only Max Young and the returning Ian Cottrill showing any resilience as Tom Coulson wreaked havoc in a spell of 8-58.
It was a galling performance after Droitwich’s spinners had earlier applied the brakes to the Feckenham innings.
The visitors raced to 85-1 from 15 overs before captain Jake Young and Martyn Davies bowled unchanged for 34 overs to claim three and four wickets respectively – their endeavours to set a very achievable target proving to be in vain.
“It was a disappointing result because we bowled ourselves into a good position,” said skipper Jake Young.
“The batting let us down once again and if we want to push on and not be at the bottom of the table all year we need to apply ourselves more at the crease.
“Spirit in the squad is good and I believe one win will kick our season off.”
By contrast, the efforts of another Spa spin duo ensured the Seconds remained unbeaten in Division Two Second XI.
Jack Eaton grabbed 6-63 and there was three scalps for Martyn Woodward in a four-wicket win over Enville.
There were decent contributions from most of the Droitwich batsmen as the victory target was reached in the final over, thanks to the unbeaten seventh-wicket stand between Ash Walton (42 no) and Carl Thomson (35 no).
The Thirds did well to recover from 28-4 to post 188-7 at Barnt Green in Division Five where Scott Fenn (67) and Nick Sankey (42) added 96 for the fifth wicket.
Junior Matt Hill picked up 4-22 from ten overs for the home side.
The mix of experience and youth at the top of the order proved decisive for Barnt Green as openers Steve Dodd (75) and Hayden Froggatt (43) set up a four-wicket win – Paul Foster’s 4-51 helping to ensure the clash went to the penultimate over.
The reverse Fourths fixture in Division Five Second XI was conceded by Barnt Green.
The Firsts head to third-from-bottom Pedmore on Saturday while the Seconds entertain Lye and Stourbridge are the opposition for the Thirds and Fourths.
