TENBURY Wells failed to build on an excellent opening stand from Henry Anton and Andy Adams on their way to a 54-run defeat at Stourbridge 3rds in Division Five of the Worcestershire League.

Chasing a target of 230-7, victory looked to be on the cards as Anton (69) and Adams (69) set about the home side’s bowling attack.

But once the opening pair were dismissed, the remainder of the card quickly followed with just Kier Sellars (10) reaching double figures and Tenbury were all out for 176.

Skipper Zack Yarranton admitted it was a missed opportunity for his side especially as he had been able to select a strong line-up for the trip to the Black Country.

“We were without Aaron Morris but Henry [Anton] was back from school and available,” Yarranton explained. “He’s only 16 but an excellent young player. We lose him again now until he breaks up for the summer.

“It’s frustrating because we were going well with all the wickets in hand and needing about 100 off the last 20 overs.

“But the whole game turned in the space of an over. They had a lad [Dominic O’Reilly] who was spinning it a long way and he took three wickets in one over.

“We just needed one more batsman to get in and we’d have been fine. The openers gave us the perfect platform but we failed to take advantage.”

Earlier in the day, Rob Farrar was the pick of the Tenbury bowlers taking 3-23 from his ten overs with Jack Farrar also taking two wickets.

Tenbury 2nds cruised to a convincing 137-run victory over Penlu visitors Stourbridge 4ths, some impressive bowling seeing them home.

Batting first, Tenbury scored 193-7 with Stephen Giles (53no) and skipper Ben Thompson (46) the mainstays of the innings.

In reply, Stourbridge struggled to get going and were all out for just 56 runs. Ian Taylor took 4-7 while Adrian Edwards took 4-21.

Elsewhere in the Worcestershire League, Cleobury Mortimer won their Division Three match at home to Kempsey by 24 runs.

Batting first, an excellent 63 from Nick Griffiths helped the home side to 185 all out. But it could have been a different tale had last man David Shorter not managed to add an impressive 46 to the tally.

With the ball, Shorter (2-44) Oliver Rowland (3-34) and James Manley (3-29) struck at key moments before Sam Evans (2-0) mopped up the tail to dismiss the visitors for 161.

Tenbury head to fellow Division Three high-fliers West Malvern on Saturday while Cleobury travel to Himbleton.