Evesham 118-4, The Boxmen 102-4.

EVESHAM suffered a disastrous start but Les Griffiths led a superb recovery with an undefeated 36 to overcome a dangerous Boxmen side in the Worcestershire Cricket Board Indoor League.

Batting first, Evesham lost Rich Steed for a golden duck when Jason Haines stumped him down the leg-side off Tim Cull with only three scored.

Andy Stanley was dismissed, reducing them to 18-2.

But on 57-2 after seven overs, The Boxmen were in control and when young debutant, Josh Colwell bowled Will Lloyd, Evesham were left on 60-3. But enter Matt Stanley to put bat to ball and with Les Griffths added 60 in the last five overs to set a respectable target of 118-4.

Skipper David Lawrence and Jason Haines got The Boxmen off to a solid start but then a mix-up saw Haines stranded, leading to a run-out.

David Lawrence joined son David to add 40 to get The Boxmen back on track.

But Evesham were red hot in the field and, with runs at a premium, Lawrence senior was just a few inches short.

When David Lawrence retired, this brought James Cull and Colwell together and their inexperience showed as they were unable to get the ball to the wall, and the scoring rate was below the required amount. Andy Stanley stumped Colwell off Lee Clarke and then Nick Extel was run-out.

David Lawrence returned but ran out of overs, leaving Evesham the winners by 16 runs.

Harvington 142-2, Great Alne 90-5.

HARVINGTON again passed the 140 landmark to defeat an out-of-touch Great Alne side.

Batting first, Birmingham League star, Nick Powell, gave Harvington the best of starts, scoring his 25 in four overs.

Although Lewis Austin was run-out for 12, his father Derek smashed 19 to have 70 recorded after seven overs.

His run-out brought together Adam Lee and James Towey who added a quick-fire 50 in even time to get the score to 108. When Lee retired, Pete Smith joined Towey to add 34 in the last two overs to post a massive 142-2.

It was Powell who struck in his second over to take out Temple’s middle stump.

With the score on 70-1 after eight overs, Alne were in trouble and then two run-outs in the ninth over saw them really on the back foot.

Derek Austin had Luke Brereton adjudged lbw and Andy Green had to bat out the remaining 10 balls to see Harvington home by 52 runs.