COOKLEY’S hopes of avoiding relegation in Worcestershire County League Division One suffered a setback after losing by 34 runs to Pedmore.

Defeat saw the Wyre Forest outfit slip to third from bottom, leaving them just a point out of the drop zone.

Pedmore were asked to bat first and a succession of dropped catches left the Villagers ruing what might have been as the home side set a challenging 265 to win.

In response the firsts badly missed skipper Paul Thomas as the run rate required became onerous.

Australian Jack McVey had a fine match with three wickets and 55 not out and there was a promising debut by Aditya Rai, who took 3-32 Cookley face a crucial game at home to Belbroughton on Saturday (1pm start), the side one place below them in the table.

The seconds suffered a 53-run defeat at the hands of Wormelow in the Division Two 2nd XI. Wormelow won the toss and against a weakened Cookley attack enjoyed the fine Lea Lane batting wicket to post 240-8.

Veteran Stuey Nicholls followed up his bowling in the thirds with an impressive 3-30 for the home side.

Mitch Taylor continued his fine season with 91 but a middle-order collapse ensured a comprehensive defeat.

Cookley’s seconds remain seventh in the table.

The thirds had a comfortable victory over bottom side Pedmore, who managed just 125 with nine men.

Si Kirby was the pick of Cookley’s bowlers with 3-33.

Cookley had a wobble in reply but a fine 52 not out by James Brown put the game out of sight.

Victory saw them move up to third in the table with a game in hand.

l Cookley are set take on celebrity side Lashings All Stars on Friday, August 19.

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