WCB INDOOR Cricket League leaders Ashton crashed to a first defeat at Prince Henry's Sports Centre when Dumbleton cruised to a resounding victory.

The winners moved to the top of the table after restricting their opponents to 107-5 despite openers Richard Wood and Richard Cooper adding 60 in six overs at the top of the order.

MIke Gibson's introduction into the attack turned the game and Ashton lost four wickets for the addition of just five runs before John Cooper helped lift the final total past three figures.

Skipper Pete Boorman and Bertie Thompson kept the scoring rate ticking over in reply despite fine bowling spells from Will Archer and Mahesh Patel.

Boorman fell with the score on 46 and Dumbleton then fell behind the clock as John Cooper and Wood put the brakes on.

However, Matt Nicholson and Henry Prudden left the chasers needing only 15 from the last three overs and they finished the match off in style closing on 111-1.

The night's other match saw Elmley Castle claim a second win at the expense of Harvington who found the task of scoring 130 for victory just beyond them.

Sean Corbett smashed 25 out of the first 36 runs when Castle took first knock and the run rate was 11 an over when Will Bailey and Simon Cooper also took a liking to the bowling.

Harvington hit back with three wickets in the tenth over but Corbett and Copper returned to add 30 off the last two overs in a final total of 129-5.

The chasers made a poor start when Dave Waters was run out in the first over but Simon Price and Jon Coleman took the reply to 44 after five overs.

Price's retirement virtually ended his side's chances as two run-outs added to Harvington;s woes before Price's return lifted the score to 118-3.

The Evesham venue will be used for the Worcestershire Cricket Board's 2008 Tornados Trophy on Sunday, April 6 when Evesham will fly the local flag.

They face Astwood Bank in the opening round of the 12-team tournament with the winners facing either Ombersley or Worcester in the quarter-finals.

What promises to be a busy and exciting day's action gets under way at 10am.

5:28pm Tuesday 25th March 2008

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