ALEX Mason snapped up seven wickets but Tenbury Cricket Club suffered an agonising one-wicket home defeat against Avoncroft in the Worcestershire County League Division Three.

Avoncroft opening bowler Paul Athey also had a memorable match, taking 5-21, including a hat-trick, as basement boys Tenbury crashed to another defeat.

Tom Gloster (46), Mason (34) and David Hunt (27) led the way as Tenbury were bowled out for 167 in 40 overs at Penlu last Saturday.

Mason’s superb seven-wicket haul put Tenbury on the brink of a rare Worcestershire County League win but Mark Whitehead (53 not out) steered Avoncroft to a narrow success in the 36th over.

Zack Yarranton (1-37) and Jack Farrar (1-30) each picked up a wicket for Tenbury, who will be making the long trip to Ross-on-Wye this Saturday.

It was among only a handful of matches in the Advertiser match survived the heavy rain last Saturday.

There was also disappointment for Tenbury 2nd who crashed to a nine-wicket defeat against Martley 2nd in 2nd XI Division Four. Darren Ingram (61) top scored in Tenbury’s 113 but Martley eased to the target.

Bishops Castle 2nd picked up a three-wicket success over Ludlow 4th in a Shropshire County League 2nd XI Division Three derby.

Tom Moulder took 5-30 to skittle out Ludlow 4th for 103 but Rhys Evans (27) and Moulder (18) reached the target despite Danny Bradley (3-26) and Joe Williams (3-33).

Harry Martin (53), Matt Hawes (53) and Joe Webb (4-12) led the way in Ludlow 2nd’s 111-run triumph over Wellington 4th in 2nd XI Division One.

Oli Boulton (3-13), Joe Williams (2-9) and Matt Kennedy (2-18) fired Ludlow to an emphatic eight-wicket home success over Monmouth in the GB Liners Marches Sunday League.

CLEOBURY’s Ben Griffiths will be captaining the Woodstock South Shropshire Twenty20 League representative team tonight at Ludlow Cricket Club, starting 6.15pm.

The team to face the Broseley League: Glen Whittaker (Ludlow), Sam Alford (Dales), Tim Goldthorp (Clee Hill), Craig Shorter (Clee Hill), Ben Griffiths (Cleobury – captain), Dave Shorter (Cleobury), Tom Gloster (Tenbury), Jonathan Pearson (Tenbury), Karl Pearson (Tenbury), Dylan Grinker (Ludlow Colts), James Gerritse (Ludlow Colts).

Tenbury have won the Woodstock South Shropshire Twenty20 League title for the first time after a four-run success over Clee Hill.

Karl Pearson (71), Aaron Morris (43 not out) and Tom Gloster (29) helped Tenbury to 189-4.

Craig Shorter (66), Tim Goldthorp (63) and Ryan Lockley (27) lifted Clee Hill to 185-7, with Zack Yarranton (3-9) and Morris (2-46), Tenbury’s most successful bowlers.

A fine all-round display from Chris Ammonds fired Ludlow to third place in the competition.

Ammonds took 2-18 and then cracked an unbeaten 64 to steer Ludlow to a five-wicket success over Dales in a play-off match for third spot.

Lee Alford (53), Ed Williams (29) and Sam Alford (24) took Dales to 162-8, while Ammonds was supported by Jamie Smith (2-28) and Luke Miles (2-32).

Ammonds the clouted a quick-fire half-century and was backed by Smith (26), Craig Massey (25) and Bryn Simmons (19) in taking Ludlow home in the 18th over.