ALVECHURCH and Hopwood’s push for promotion stuttered after they went down to a three-wicket defeat to Bromsgrove 3rds in the Worcestershire County League Division Three.
Fifth-placed Alvechurch slipped 37 points behind second-placed Netherton in the standings after the latter defeated Eastnor, but they will look to bounce back tomorrow (Saturday) when they entertain Five Ways Old Edwardians.
Having won the toss and elected to bat, Alvechurch lost half of the side with only 82 on the scoreboard.
Edd Rogers led the rearguard action with 47 but he found little support, with only three players in double figures in the shape of Adam Markham-Jones (19), Mike Reuben (19) and Mark Woollatt (10).
Joseph Kelly was the main destroyer with the ball, taking 4-25 as Alvechurch were all out for 171 in 44.4 overs.
Bromsgrove also found batting troublesome, slipping to 27-3. But opener Mark Bilbrough was the mainstay of the innings hitting 69, including 10 fours, and with skipper Harry Smith adding 19 they edged to their target.
Opening bowler Woollatt snapped up 3-21 and Reuben took 2-42 but Bromsgrove were celebrating their win in the 36th over.
Alvechurch 2nds lie only two points clear of the drop zone in 2nd XI Division Three after a six-wicket defeat to visitors Burghill, Tillington and Weobley.
Having been put into bat, Alvechurch reached 241-5 in their 45 overs, Nick Tongue top-scoring with 72 and skipper Jordan Rollins hitting an unbeaten 52 and Paul Caines adding 37.
But Burghill swept past their target in the 39th overs after Duane Evans smashed 142 not out, including 25 fours and two sixes.
Alvechurch now have 132 points, two ahead of Five Ways Old Eds and the sides meet tomorrow in a crunch clash.
Karl Tulloch compiled a half-century for Alvechurch Thirds but they lost to hosts Alcester & Ragley 2nds by four wickets in Cotswold Hills League Division Five.
Tulloch’s 58 not out was the foundation to the Alvechurch innings as they reached 180-8 in their 45 overs at Ragley Hall.
Alcester got to their target in 41 overs, with Mark Hewston hitting 64.
The Fourths’ skipper Andrew Howard led the way with an unbeaten 50 in their Division Seven match at home to Earlswood 5ths.
Alvechurch, however, were all out for 145 in 38 overs, and Earlswood eased through their run chase to get to 146-4 in 31.1 overs.
The Thirds are at home to Overbury tomorrow while the Fourths travel to the Lenches 2nds.
