EVESHAM will look to bounce back to winning ways tomorrow (Saturday) to revitalise their title hopes in the Worcestershire County League Division One.
Their championship push suffered a setback last weekend when they went down to a seven-wickets defeat at rivals Bewdley.
Victory pushed Bewdley to the top of the table after previous leaders Stourport’s match was abandoned, and third-placed Evesham now lie 27 points behind the new pacesetters.
But they will aim to get their campaign back on track tomorrow when they entertain seventh-placed Colwall.
Last weekend against Bewdley, Evesham batted first after winning the toss but were dismissed for 145 in the 35th over.
The loss of early wickets left them 21-4 but skipper Mohammed Fahim Maan led the fightback with 69 off 85 balls.
He shared a fifth-wicket stand worth 40 runs with Ali Shan but the best partnership came between Maan and No 10 batsman Adnan Sagheer in a stand which added 53 runs to the tally for the ninth wicket.
Paul Taylor was the key wicket-taker with 4-42.
In reply, Bewdley seized the initiative with an opening stand of 112 between Nick Wilkinson (36) and top-scorer Paul Beard (85).
Though Sadam Khan took 3-27, Bewdley eased home past their victory target in the 35th over.
Evesham Seconds’ home match against Bartestree and Lugwardine in 2nd XI Division Two was cut short by the weather.
Evesham won the toss and put the visitors into bat but a 150-run stand between David Robinson (92) and Michael Spink (63) for the third wicket helped Bartestree to 193-4 off just 26 overs.
Play, however, was then abandoned and Evesham head to Netherton tomorrow.
The Thirds’ away match at Worcester Nomads in Division Eight South was also washed out.
They entertain Cookley 3rds tomorrow.