HAGLEY are down to ninth in Worcestershire League Division One after they suffered a six-wicket defeat at Bromyard.

After being asked to bat first, Hagley found themselves in immediate trouble as former Sri Lankan international Dinusha Fernando (3-46) removed openers Simon James and Paul Morgan in the opening over with neither troubling the scoreboard.

Joe Lennon (89) and Ben Wooldridge (11) put on 50 for the third-wicket before Fernando removed Wooldridge after a barrage of short pitched bowling.

Tom Bayliss (3-48) then got rid of James Trinham and Russell Andrews cheaply to leave Hagley floundering at 87-5.

Craig Bray added 19 in a 50 partnership with Lennon to mount something of a recovery but both went in quick succession.

However, late hitting from Jamie Perks (45) and Ian Moss (42 not out) helped Hagley reach 242-8 from their 50 overs.

Bernard Erasmus then picked up two early wickets as Hagley looked to make early inroads.

But it was Fernando who once again the star of the show.

He played shots all over the ground en route to an unbeaten 109, with Zahid Saeed, Greg Leighton (27) and Eral Anderson (45no) giving him vital support.

Hagley entertain basement side Coombs Wood on Saturday.

Skipper Rus Andrews said: “It was disappointing, but there were definitely some positives to take from the Bromyard game.

“Joe (Lennon) batted fantastically and there was some good lower-order hitting from the lads against a good bowling attack.

“We wanted to get into this league to test ourselves against better players and there won’t be much better than Fernando but unfortunately for us he came out on top.”

The seconds went top of Division One with an eight-wicket demolition of Alvechurch and Hopwood.

Hagley were in control from the moment Alvechurch won the toss and chose to bat.

Steve Plant (3-40) took two wickets in his first over and grabbed a third soon after to leave the visitors 36-3.

Rob Hancock (3-12) was brought into the attack and removed the dangerous Strong (38) with a good ball and took two further quick wickets.

Only Liam Spink, who had been watching the carnage at the other end, could offer any resistance with a hard-fought 54, but when he was the last man out Alvechurch had been dismissed for just 157 in 40 overs.

Hagley had to face a testing nine over spell before tea and Ian Watt was trapped lbw for eight to Graham Jenkins (1-17).

Fady Jadayel (48 not out) and Andy Lee (39) put on a good partnership to put Hagley in control before Lee missed by Jared Spencer (1-14).

Simon Burgess (43 not out) then came out and played an aggressive innings to see Hagley home in the 36th over.

Hagley thirds fell to a narrow two-wicket defeat to Droitwich.