ROSS-on-Wye lost the toss against Old Elizabethans 3rd at Worcester in Division 4 South of the Crusader Worcestershire County League and were soon on the backfoot, batting on a damp wicket.

The South Herefordshire side never fully recovered, eventually going down by four wickets.

Experienced bowler Simon May exploited the conditions during his opening spell of 5-47 off 12 overs, which left the visitors struggling on 91-6 after 23 overs.

The only batsmen to offer real resistance during this period were Ollie Stratford (19) and skipper Andy Bevan (37) who added 50 for the third wicket.

When May took a rest, the Ross lower order steadied the ship, Chris Ball (22) and Jack Evans (17) adding 41 for the seventh wicket.

Luke Gray (25) produced some lusty blows and, with Stuart Tucker reaching double figures before May (6-47) returned to take the final wicket in the final over, Ross all out for 173.

With the wind blowing, the sun shining and some wayward bowling on offer, the home side's innings flourished to reach 87 after just 12 overs. At this point Harry Preece bowled the dangerous Nicholls for 63, and once again Ross produced a partial recovery. Bevan took two wickets in an over as the home side were restricted to 100-3 after 21 overs.

The middle order of J Sprague (29) and R Butterworth (23) took the home side to the brink of victory before falling to Tim Barnard and Evans respectively. The home side clinched the win at 176-6 in the 37th over.

Canon Frome's home game with Barnard Green's third string was a victim of the wet weather.