NEWCOMERS Eastnor were given an early lesson in the Worcestershire Indoor League in Worcester.

They suffered a thrashing by newly promoted Avoncroft, while Old Elizabethans (89-5) lost to Cutnall Green (90-1) in the other Division One clash.

The Division Two games were postponed to April 20 as the Royal Grammar School sports hall was unavailable.

Eastnor, who beat OEs in their first match, slumped to 93 all out in their 74-run defeat after Avoncroft stormed to 167-0.

The total is believed to be a league record and, under such an assault from Avoncroft’s batsmen, Eastnor could be forgiven for ragged fielding.

Mark Whitehead, Ben Warwick, Adam Rodway and Paul Athey all posted their allotted ration of 25 and consequently retired.

It left Avoncroft’s Tim Davis (12 not out) and Mark Wood (13no) to pick up the scraps.

Eastnor had to start quickly to have any chance and the first over looked positive with 15 runs.

In Whitehead’s first over, a decisive break was put on the innings with two wickets.

Shameen Ahmed was run out and Ben Febery bowled.

Wood, bowling the third over, had Eastnor’s Tareq Jamil caught by Rodway clutching the ball into his midriff.

Raheel Lone (43) soldiered on against the odds to put a hint of a shine on the score.

Matches on Sunday see Worcester Nomads ‘A’ tackle RGS and Nomads ‘B’ face Hallow.

On Monday, Malvern play Bromsgrove and Nomads ‘C’ are up against Droitwich Spa.

Meanwhile, Malvern teams will contest the Worcester Evening League, which starts on Tuesday, April 28, and finishes with a knockout format in late June.

In a change of tradition, the Dowdeswell Cup is now open to any team wishing to participate in the 12-over knockout format which will have 16 clubs involved.

Round one will take place over two weeks in early July and culminates with the final at Rushwick in mid-August.

There is a Plate tournament for all losing teams with the Tansell Cup final held at Barnards Green in Malvern on August 13.

Clubs are guaranteed a minimum of two matches and the cost is £25 per team.

Eleven have already registered and there are five places still available.

For more details, call chairman Mark Chappell by March 1 on 07875-668372.