Eastnor'S impressive run in the National Village Championship came to an end with a narrow nine-run defeat in the area final at Astwood Bank.

The Worcestershire side compiled 172-9 from their allotted 40 overs with a vital 70 being added from the final quarter of their innings.

In reply, some fine batting by Adeel (70) kept the Herefordshire side in contention all the way through but the crucial run out of Shahid Ahmed, with a direct hit from the boundary edge, turned the game in the home side's favour.

Eastnor were left requiring 12 from the last over and lost their final wicket still nine runs behind Bank's total.