Whitchurch are in the bottom four of the Birmingham & District Premier Cricket League Division Three after crashing to defeat to Old Elizabethans on Saturday.

The hosts took first use of the track and Whitchurch worked hard to bowl them out for 155 inside 38 overs with some fantastic end of the innings bowling by the Heath Road men.

Opener Daniel Bowen was on fine form as he took 5-47 from 14 overs, including three maidens and only two extras while Elliot Bowen grabbed 1-30 from eight and Ijaz Yousaf finished with 2-23 from 7.5 overs.

There were two run outs for the visitors too as Alex Huxley's men gave themselves a great opportunity of picking up a much-needed win.

However, despite Salim Ahmed's 20 at the top of the order and 35 from Sam Ellis, batting number four, Whitchurch struggled in their reply as home bowler Hemaka Pathiranage wreaked havoc.

He ripped out Whitchurch's middle order as he took 5-36, including Yousaf and Nadeem Ahmad for nought.

The lower order and tail, including Lancashire women's opening batter Evelyn Jones, struggled against the home bowling as Khalid Baig grabbed one, with Daniel Colburn finishing with two.

None of the Whitchurch batters from six down made it into double figures as Ellis was trapped by Pathiranage to end the innings with the visitors 88 all out.

Meanwhile, the second XI also crashed to defeat on a tough Saturday for the Heath Road club as they were beaten heavily by Fordhouses second XI.

The visitors opted to bat first as soon set about the home attack as Fordhouses finished their rain-reduced 46 overs on 2750-6, thanks mainly to 89 from opener Ryan Flannery.

Dave Weaver picked up 3-56 from 10 overs with one apiece for James Marvell, Dominic Freer-Carmichael and Mike Ellis.

In reply, only Connor Tinsley was able to show any resistance as he scored a fine 50 out of 86-9 with fellow opener Nigel Davies retired not out.

Tinsley's innings was eventually ended by Haroon Shah, who shared taking duties with namesakes Zahid and Zak as no other Whitchurch batsmen made it into double figures.

The third XI picked up a brilliant win away at Knockin & Kinnerley with 15-year0-old James Marvell the star of the show as he took 2-3 with ball from his five overs as Knocking were dismissed for 186.

He then smashed 89 opening the innings as Whitchurch reached their target with four wickets to spare. This weekend, the first XI travel to Newport while the second XI host the reverse fixture the thirds travel to Wellington.