ELWORTH looked lost without professional Ian Mitchell and were crushed by a rampant Little Stoke on Saturday.

The talented batsman, who smashed more than 1,000 runs last year, had to rush home to South Africa following the sudden death of his mother. With no time to arrange a temporary pro, the side went into the game with a weakened line-up.

The unbeaten hosts set about beleaguered Elworth with vigour and, although captain Dave Palin (11) broke his duck for the year and was the only batsman to make double figures, they put on a bowling masterclass.

Wickets tumbled with worrying regularity as Stoke's Steve Colclough returned 5-18. El-worth slumped to 56ao.

Little Stoke made heavy going of the small target but eventually reached 60 for the loss of three wickets. Elworth's single point keeps them clear of next week's visitors Checkley in the Premier League.

A club spokesman said: 'This was a day which put cricket into perspective. Mitch returned home on Thursday following the death of his mother. The thoughts and best wishes of all those associated with the club are with him and his family.' nElworth seconds earned a draw in a gripping clash with Little Stoke. Nick Morgan (38) and his 14-year-old son Ben (29), along with skipper Scott Elliott (56), were the stars of Elworth's innings, which was complete at 163-8.

Spin bowler Chris Rowe (3-27) and Elliott (3-46) tried to get the win, but the visitors held firm on 154-9 for a share of the spoils.

Betley came up short in their run chase as visitors Modder-shall ran out winners in their Premier Division clash.

Moddershall batted first and made a solid start, with A Hawkins (15), M Astley (32) and D Carr (32) all moving the score along at a brisk pace.

Adrian Butler, 4-11, made a breakthrough when he dismissed I Carr (0) and S Hemmings (1), but the Staffs side went on to set a challenging target of 192-9.

Butler (0) did not fare so well with the bat and the reliable Simon Cork only reached 22 before being trapped lbw. Richard Cooper (62no) breathed new life into proceedings but others just could not keep up. Nasser Mehmood (4) and Darren Snape (14) disappointed as their side faltered to 162ao. nCrewe's disappointing start to the season continued when they suffered a seven-wicket defeat at home to Rode Park.

After again being asked to bat in damp conditions, they recovered from the early loss of Jo Boyle (0) to reach a promising 58-2, thanks to Martin Dawson (22) and Tom Gower (21). However, following their dismissal, the innings went into a decline with only Richard Marsh (16) and Anu Sinha (10) showing much resistance as they subsided to 96ao.

Crewe needed early wickets to have any chance but Park openers Wellings and Kepple put on 43 before Irfanuddin made the breakthrough.

Despite another wicket for Irfanuddin (2-37) and one for Mike Holt, Rode eased to 93-8 and victory in 29 overs.

Crewe seconds kept their un-beaten record intact with a winning draw at Rode Park. Crewe were 177-5 declared after Mark Webb (72) and Phil Marsh (36) had shone. Park made 126-8.

Haslington are without a win after their draw with Caverswall. They put Caverswall in on a green track. Cassidy and Barker began well with a partnership of 30 before Renshaw struck, removing Barker lbw for 22.

Professional Rehman was dismissed by a superb catch from Richard Brown off the bowling of Renshaw for 24. Dropped catches allowed Caverswall to take their score up to 183-7.

Haslington were given 47 overs to get Caverswall's total. Richard Bebbington (2) did not last long and further wickets fell at regular intervals, leaving them reeling on 81-9.

A superb defensive performance from 15 year-old Ben Tomlinson (12no) and Richard Brown (4no) guided their side to a draw with the score on 94-9.