Kington'S hopes of overhauling Ombersley at the top of the Crusader Worcestershire County League Division 1 all but disappeared when they suffered a crushing 162-run defeat by their rivals last Saturday.

The Worcestershire side rattled up an impressive 268-7 with C Flowers (104) and Duncan Catterall (70) leading the way.

Flowers was also in form with the ball, returning 4-54 as Kington were shot out for 106.

The border club were back to their best on Monday, however, when they had little trouble in seeing off county rivals Luctonians who seem destined for relegation after losing both of their weekend games.

Greg Powell's 98, with 15 fours and a six, seemed to be forming the basis of a big total as Luctonians reached 138 before the second wicket fell. But left-arm spinner Tom Brierley (6-68) caused a mini-collapse in the middle order and the Kingsland side slipped to 192 all out.

Kington's reply appeared in trouble at 21-2 but an excellent partnership of 152 between Ed Symonds, who hit 14 fours and a six in his unbeaten 86, and Dave Exall, nine fours and a six in his 62, took them to the brink of victory. Former Luctonians player Alan Butterworth (15 not out) came in to help Symonds see Kington home.

On Saturday, Luctonians also went down to Herefordshire opposition when they suffered a four-wicket defeat at home to Eastnor.

Although Jonathan Platford (29), Powell (25), Duncan Platford (24) and Will Hicks (22 not out) all passed 20, no-one was able to play a major innings in the face of some fine bowling from all-rounder Shahid (5-53) and veteran Jim Sandford (3-59).

The home side eventually compiled 187-9 from their allotted overs and, with Adeel (74) and Arshad (38) leading the way, Eastnor eased home with four wickets in hand.

Eastnor were tantalisingly close to a double success when they fished just three runs short of victory at Astwood bank on Monday.

Josh Emery (2-39) and Adeel (2-11) made early inroads into the home batting but steady scoring in the middle order enabled Astwood Bank to reach 208-6.

Adeel (30) was again in good form with the bat and his opening partner, skipper Jabran Khalid, more than matched him with an excellent 86 as Eastnor made a fine start to the chase.

But, of the later batsmen, only Steve Emery (33) and Christiaan Ferreira (14) got into double figures as Easnor closed on 206-8.

With two wins over the weekend, Brockhampton are challenging Kington, whom they trail by just 10 points, for second place in the table.

On Saturday at Astwood Bank, Nick Price (63) and James Mason (16) got the innings underway with a stand of 60 and Ashley Nahorniak (43) and Mohammad Ali gave the total a boost by adding 82 for the fifth wicket as the villagers reached 208.

The home side lost a couple of early wickets as they began their run chase and that seemed to spike their desire for victory with a draw the extent of their ambition.

But with Mohammad Ali (6-34) in irrepressible form, even that proved beyond them as Richard Parker, with 2-10 in 12 overs, helped to wrap up the innings for just 54.

On a good batting pitch at Chaddesley Corbett on Monday, Brockhampton again made a fine start after losing the loss. Dave Mokler (62), Nahorniak (49), Ali (29) and Adam Hewlett (28) laid a solid foundation for skipper Alan Watkins (41 not out) and Johnny Walker (35 not out) to clatter 68 from the last 10 overs as Brockhampton reached 250-6.

In reply, Chaddesley made a good start with D Robinson (28) and M Webster (22) posting 59 for the first wicket. But Ali then took over again and his excellent spell of 8-34, with support from Simon Crump (2-23) ensured a 106-run win.