HAGLEY’S season looks shaped for a relegation battle after defeat away at Worcester.

Their ongoing troubles with the bat again triggered their downfall as they fell well short of the hosts 235-9. The result leaves them 11th in Worcestershire County League Division One.

Skipper Rus Andrews had won the toss but his side struggled to make early inroads as home openers Andrew Robertson (22) and Oliver Peppiatt (37) put on 60 for the first wicket.

New man Zahid Shah (2-39) then bowled Robertson and fellow spinner Bernard Erasmus (1-41) removed Peppiatt before the former claimed another as Worcester were reduced to 78-3.

However, Dan Keyte (57) anchored the remainder of Worcester’s innings as Amjad Ali (3-60) and Craig Bray (2-59) picked up late wickets.

Hagley’s reply began well with James Trinham (25) and the in-form Joe Lennon (56) putting on 81 for the first wicket before Trinham fell to Liam Kelleher (5-34).

But that sparked a collapse as Kelleher ripped through the home batting line-up with support from Liam Weston (2-31) as Hagley fragility with the bat showed again with five wickets falling for five runs at one point.

Despite some late resistance, Hagley were dismissed for 145 in the 47th over.

Andrews said: “This was another frustrating day, despite it being nice to actually get a game of cricket with the poor weather we have had.

“We can’t get going with the bat at the moment and we all need to step up and take some responsibility otherwise we will be going straight back down.”

Hagley seconds remain top of Division One despite having to settle for a winning draw against Bewdley.

Stand-in skipper Fady Jadayel lost the toss and Hagley were asked to bat first.

Sam Beasley (1-26) removed Jadayel (6) in the 11th over after a tight start.

However, Dan Morgan (38) joined opener Simon James (67) and the pair put on 62 for the second wicket before a mix-up led to Morgan being run out.

Ian Moss (36) provided further support for James and Hagley looked well set for a good total when placed at 172-3.

Cyril Ramsey (3-39) and Stephen Molyneux (4-14) were introduced into the attack and picked up regular wickets as the Hagley lower order failed to fire, the hosts eventually being bowled out for 210 in the 47th over.

Steve Plant (1-16) and James Russell (2-32) picked up early wickets as Hagley got on top of Bewdley early in their reply.

But Luke Groves (45) and Stephen Molyneux (55) put on a solid partnership to put Bewdley on top and looking for the win.

Simon Burgess then made an important breakthrough to remove Groves and Neil Allport (2-26) picked up the crucual wicket of Molyneux.

Wickets were starting to fall frequenty and it took a stubborn unbeaten 19 from Robert Crance to save Bewdley as they finished on 183-9.

Jon Parkes hit 112 not out for the thirds as they hammered Malvern by 197 runs.