ASHTON-under-Hill slipped up in the title race with a rare defeat in the Worcestershire Indoor League Evesham Division.

A changed side replied to Harvington’s 134-5 with 128-5 in a six-run defeat after lacking bite in their fielding.

Dave Waters (37 not out) and Sam Bannister (28) put 47 on the board within four overs for Harvington.

Tim Tew (29) helped add 40 more runs by the eighth over before they lost their first wicket on 86.

Harvington kept a rate of ten or over but Ashton produced a composed start in reply, with Richard Cooper and Jon Cooper totting up 60 after six overs.

After their retirement, Mayesh Patel (18) and Janith de Alwis kept the scoreboard ticking over.

But de Alwis was run-out in the ninth over and another wicket followed soon after.

With two overs left, Ashton were 35 runs behind and two wickets fell in the 11th.

The opening pair returned to pursue 24 from the final over but came up short with a run-out off the final ball.

Stanway Boxmen (87-5) lost to Alcester and Ragley (89-2) with two overs remaining.

Boxmen lost both openers by the third over for 24 before Mike Banks (42no) and Jason Haines (16) began to rebuild against tight bowling.

By the eighth over, Boxmen had managed only 50 and Banks lacked support.

Alcester secured their first win through Adam Warbrick (18), Ben Lee (18), Rich Nichols (20no) and Dave Swinborne (16). Undefeated Bredon lead the table by eight points from Ashton.