STOURBRIDGE Social finally got to complete a league fixture at the fourth time of asking — but suffered defeat at home to Cookley.

Skipper Richard Milner won the toss and elected to field on a slow wicket affected by the recent poor weather.

Opening bowlers Usman Riaz and Waqas Ahmed continued their impressive form from last term as they made early inroads into the Cookley batsmen, swiftly removing Simon Cook, Mitch Taylor and Alex Roden.

Mark Bennett and Tom Sherriff looked to steady the ship for Cookley with some disciplined batting, until Simon Fisher trapped Sherriff lbw for five.

But after Fisher bowled Nicholls for 16, Bennett turned aggressor for the visitors, dominating the Social attack as he looked to get his side out of what was beginning to look like a troublesome position.

Ably supported by the lower order, he flew through the gears and brought up his century in some style with successive sixes.

Bennett finally fell in the last over of the innings, stumped by Milner off the bowling of Riaz for 110, as Cookley were bowled out for 189.

Social openers Michael McDonagh (9) and Lance Mellor (15) tried to get the response off to a positive start but once they had departed, the hosts found themselves in all kinds of trouble as the usually dependable middle order faltered.

Gary Mills (5-28) was just too consistent with his line and length and Social found themselves 57-6.

Milner and Simon Fisher looked to lead the fightback but when Ben Quinlan removed them both, the game was up and Social were eventually dismissed for just 130.

Amblecote and Wollaston suffered an eight-wicket defeat at Claverley.

After being put into bat on a difficult wicket, none of the visiting batsmen got going and they were dismissed for just 61, Ryan Mills taking 5-15 for the hosts.

Amblecote were unlucky not to take more wickets, with Mo Ramzan striking twice, when it was their turn to bowl but always faced an uphill struggle.

Amblecote travel to Stourbridge this Saturday.

There was better news for Lye, who recorded a 52-run victory over Martley. Jat Dhandwal struck an unbeaten 57 and Mark Webster got 53 as Lye racked up 232-5, before Talat Kiani took 6-56 as Martley were bowled out for 180.