LICHFIELD’S hopes of upsetting the form book at league leaders Milford Hall were dashed as they slumped to a 71-run defeat.
The hosts opted to bat first after winning the toss, but found themselves struggling to get their innings going as they slipped to 54-5.
But Stuart Phazey’s 57 moved the score on to 137 before he was finally bowled by Zayn Hussain.
The Milford Hall tail proved to be stubborn as they eventually ended their 50 overs on 212-9.
Preston Lee was the pick of the visiting bowlers with figures of 3-47.
Lichfield’s reply got off to the worst possible start though when Harry Turley-Salmons returned to the pavilion without scoring after facing just two balls.
George Turner followed with the score on 14 before Lee departed to make it 34-3.
But Daniel Caddick joined opener Stuart Fielding at the crease and made 53 from 70 balls to give basement side Lichfield a real hope of causing an upset against the South Staffordshire County League Premier Division pace-setters.
Caddick’s dismissal made it 123-4 and sparked a collapse that saw them slip to 141-9.
Opener Fielding’s fine knock of 61 was a rare bright moment, but his spell was finally brought to an end when he was bowled by Aaron Afford to halt the Lichfield innings 71 runs short.
