ALBERBURY endured a day to forget with the bat in a 50 run derby defeat at home to Pontesbury in Henshalls Shropshire League One.

Patrick Cudmore proved the difference with his half century ensuring the visitors maintained their promotion push with a commanding victory at Pecknall Farm.

Alberbury looked to restrict the visitors and Sam Morris (3-21) celebrated early success before catching Daniel Walker off Matthew Bevan (1-27) for 17.

James Bird also struck to dislodge Mark Lewis, caught by James Wynne for one, before the fate of the match swung with the arrival of man of the match Cudmore.

Cudmore was joined by James Moss in reviving the Pontesbury middle order and working the scoreboard until the latter was caught by Bevan off James Harrap (1-46) for 22.

Bird completed his 3-26 to polish off the tail end while Cudmore was finally caught by Wynne for a top scoring 54 with Pontesbury all out for 141.

Alberbury suffered a poor start to their reply with opener Jordan Zaza run out by Mark Lewis for seven with Lewis also catching Charles Bourne off Matt Ramsay (1-18) for a duck.

Surviving opener Dominic Zaza was also caught by Matthew Hartshorn off Matt Smart for 24 with Smart also snaring Morris LBW for one as wickets continued to tumble.

Andrew Wynne (17) and James Wynne (11) looked to dig in and revive the home middle order only for both to depart to Sam Morris who completed his 3-24 with the wicket of James Harrap (6).

Alberbury’s tail end resistance failed to combat Smart who also completed his 4-18 with the cheap wickets of Bevan (1) and Myles Thomas (0) before Oliver Corbett (6)was trapped LBW by Stephens Wilson (1-10) to complete their demise for just 91.