COOKLEY found themselves knocked off the top spot of the Worcestershire County League after a surprising 144 run loss to Pedmore.

After an agonisingly close defeat to Feckenham last time out, the Division One side were beaten once again on their travels to Stourbridge.

Pedmore immediately lost two wickets after going into bat, but some dismal fielding from the visitors, which included five dropped catches, as well as good innings from home batsmen Dan Jones (76) and Dave Skelding (61), the home team were in pole position.

Reaching 255 for 8, the hosts set Cookley a tough total to make up, but neither side would have expected what was to come.

A brilliant bowling performance from Pedmore which included a pair of wickets each for James Burgoyne (2-26), Jonathan Heardman (2-16), Daniel Cooper (2-16) and Jack Patchett (2-11) left Cookley rattled.

Ducks for Al Roden and Jamie Brighton and a self-inflicted run out by skipper Paul Thomas sparked an early collapse and as Cookley were all out for just 111.

That defeat knocks the Lea Lane outfit down to third – trailing leaders Worcester by 17 points – who will be looking at getting back on track in a vital match against second place Redditch on Saturday (1pm start).

It was a thrilling home game for the seconds who took down Lye by 17 runs. After choosing to bat, they amassed 281, with Matty Goode in great form scoring 78, acting skipper Ben Quinlan got 54 and there was a fine cameo from Al Ray with a quick fire 43 not out.

Lye responded well and while Dan Nicholls (90) was at the crease they always had a chance of victory. Ben Quinlan (4-53) had him caught and bowled to ensure the win in a ‘man of the match’ performance.

The thirds had to settle for a winning draw against Belbroughton, but it should have been much more.

After winning the toss, Cookley smashed a new record score of 320 from their 45 overs, Si Kirby (95) and Monty Reynolds (72) leading the way.

In reply, the visitors held out for the draw at 188-7.