THE Boxmen and Ashton-under-Hill joined Feckenham at the top of the Worcestershire Cricket Board Indoor League at Evesham's Prince Henry's Cricket Centre.

Prince Henry's (117-3) lost to Ashton (119-2) with seven balls remaining despite gallant efforts from Tom Pilling (34 not out) and Liam Ridings (26no).

The target of 117 never looked quite enough to beat Ashton after Will and Tom Archer both bowled with accuracy.

The extra pace and swing from Tom Archer caused Elliott Thomson (18) to play and miss consistently with Prince Henry's only managing 46 at the halfway stage.

Thereafter, the pressure was on to provide them with something to bowl at but only in the final over with wickets to spare did they get on top of the bowling, taking 20.

Despite an early success for Dom Fenney bowling Will Archer (3) and a late scalp for Thomson getting Janitha de Alwis (8) to hit his wicket, the game was almost up.

Prince Henry's bowling failed to match the accuracy of their opponents and 16 runs were conceded in wides.

With unbeaten contributions from Richard Cooper (33), Tom Archer (27) and Jack Perks (26), Ashton ran out fairly easy winners with time and wickets to spare.

Dumbleton (117 all out) lost to Boxmen (118-3) with an over remaining after starting two men short to bat first.

With a late arrival, they played the match with only five which is almost always an insurmountable handicap in this form of cricket.

Despite two early wickets to Josh Tamckem and Josh Colwell, Matt Nicholson (49) and Phil Patterson (22) managed to hold out until reinforcements arrived in the shape of Adam Stuart (16).

The innings lasted until the fourth ball of the final over, presenting Boxmen with an interesting target of 117, the same as the previous game but Dumbleton had a man short in the field.

All went reasonably well for the villagers as Craig Baldwin and Stuart restricted Boxmen to 47-1 after six overs.

But then the change bowlers could no longer hold Boxmen. Colwell (36no) and Jason Haines (25no), assisted not only by Oli Lynott-May (19no) but a generous 25 in wides, reached the target in the penultimate over.

The next matches on Tuesday see Feckenham play Evesham Casuals and Redditch tackle Bredon.