TABLE-topping Kington came back down to earth against Eastnor in this Crusader Worcestershire County League Division One clash on Saturday.

EASTNOR v KINGTON

Kington, having been put into bat, found Eastnor in a mean mood with the ball. Bowlers Tariq and Shahid reduced Kington to 51-4 in 16 overs. Lewis was the only batsman to trouble the bowlers having been missed with a catch behind first ball, he went on to score 35.

Once he was removed the remainder of the batsmen soon followed for Kington to be all out in the 36th over for 134.

Shahid claimed 4-36 from a fine spell of 12 overs, Tariq took 3-40, Jabran 2-19 and Faisal 1-23 along with some fine catches.

Eastnor, in reply, felt hard done by with the umpire's decisions of the loss of their first two wickets to fall. D Baker set about the task, hitting Symonds for four first ball to get the Eastnor score underway. D Rees (15) gave fine support. Kington stuck to their task by reducing Eastnor to 39-5 in the 11th over.

With Eastnor in a wobble the cool Steve Emery batted well to score 31no along with Shahid, who pushed the ball to all parts of the ground, to finish unbeaten on 37.

They saw Eastnor to victory in the 35th over for what was a well deserved result over their Herefordshire rivals.

R Symonds, the only Kington bowler to trouble the batsmen, claimed 5-26 from 14 overs.

KINGTON II v EASTNOR II

EASTNOR Seconds travelled to Kington to play their Worcester-shire Leaguematch on Saturday with a team full of experience and youth.

Eastnor were asked to field, and had an almost immediate breakthrough. Matt Phillips had B Price caught at square leg in only the third over. Kington then looked to gain the advantage, scoring a quick 50 runs off just 10 overs before Mark Wadley was introduced to the attack. His pace worried the Kington batsmen, and the first of his three wickets came when he trapped Francis (49) lbw, then came a smart catch from youngster Marc Wildig and a good catch from Simon Astbury.

Phillips then claimed his second and third wickets, clean bowling R Price (1) then D Harris (1). This brought Richilman into the attack, and he played some good strokes, playing some hefty shots. Nick Haggar then had Tunn (26) caught in the deep. Stand-in skipper Steve Large then brought Phillips back into the attack, and this change had the desired effect. He had G Priday well caught by Martin Loveridge, before bowling Richilman with his next ball.

He was denied the chance of a hat-trick after some smart fielding by Wadley, who swooped to pick up the ball and hit the wickets for a good run-out. Wadley had fine bowling figures of 3-38 off 12, and Phillips collected his first five-wicket haul with 5-46 off 18.

Youngster Scott Roberts, who was playing his first game for the seconds, fielded superbly.

Eastnor were set the formidable target of 239, but the sunny conditions had changed to overcast and showers. After Astbury (0) fell in the second over and Entwhistle (0) in the third, things weren't looking good. Dave Jones played some powerful shots and was supported well by Pat Locke. The pair put on a quick 40, before Jones was bowled for 17. Marc Wildig, promoted up the order, joined Locke and the pair pushed the score along, before Locke too was bowled. Phillips was bowled for six and Wilding soon followed for 15.

Steve Large and Mark Wadley were then at the crease and the pair batted well.

Large scored a wonderful 32, and Wadley punished the bad balls, finishing with 21. After the pair were out, it left the impossible task for Haggar and Loveridge to bat out the final 12 overs, or score 80 runs. Haggar was bowled and this left Eastnor all out for 166, but with some valuable points in the bag.