THE second week of the Worcestershire Cricket Board Indoor League at Evesham saw defending champions Ashton-under-Hill prove again they are the side to beat.

Dumbleton (79 all out) lost to Ashton (80-1) by five wickets with three overs remaining despite getting off to a promising start.

Matt Nicholson (15) was lbw to Will Archer in the fifth over but, by halfway, Wade Risdale (27) and Adam Stuart (17) were still together with the score on a respectable 49-1.

However, the second-half was all Ashton's as, on 56, smart fielding and ill-advised calls brought four successive run-outs.

When last man Andrew Powell was caught off Matt Wakefield, the score had only crept to 79.

Despite an early wicket for Nigel Stanton trapping Richard Cooper in front, there were few other signs of hope as Ashton cruised to victory.

Will Archer (25 not out), Jonathan Cooper (28no) and Tom Archer (19no) completed the job with time to spare.

In the other game, Boxmen (104-5) beat Prince Henry's (96 all out) by eight runs with four balls remaining.

A lively start was provided by Josh Colwell (29no) and Wes Green (24) putting on 59 for the first wicket until the latter was run-out in the eighth over.

Jason Haines (17) and Mike Banks (10) contributed double figures as did the generosity of the Prince Henry's bowlers with 14 wides.

Boxmen's total of 104 was the highest so far this season and set a clear challenge.

But their bowlers were equally profligate, donating 17 wides, while Prince Henry's reply was only good in parts.

Tom Pilling was an early victim of an optimistic call but Simon Price and Dom Fenney (16) added nearly 30 before the latter was bowled by Banks in the sixth over.

Gio Capaldi was dismissed by Oliver May and Mike Brown followed shortly after when run-out, leaving Price with Joe Nishigaki as the last pair.

Prince Henry's were on 69-4 in the ninth over and, although Price found the back wall on occasion, they were still behind the rate.

A pull shot by Price dealt an unwanted blow to his partner, who bravely carried on, even as last man after Price (35) was run-out.

The end came as Colwell bowled Nishigaki for 19, giving victory to Boxmen in the last over.