ALVECHURCH and Hopwood’s tough start to the season continued as they slipped to a 221-run loss at the hands of Lye.

Church won the toss and put their opponents from the Black Country in to bat.

The bowlers made a good start as the home side were reduced to 28-3. But Muhamm- ad Usman Jillani (46) and Kamran Mehram (81) helped Lye reach 312 all out.

There were two wickets each for Andrew Evans, Jahan Khan and Devarat Desai.

Church made a solid start to their reply as openers Adam Markham-Jones (20) and Matt Hayward (20) got early runs, but they fell to 91 all out.

They are at home to Enville on Saturday (1pm start).