ANOTHER batting collapse cost Stocksfield as they lost by 89 runs to Bates Cottages.

Struggling for consistency this term, a second successive below par display with the bat saw them all out for just 97 runs after a good bowling performance stifled Bates' batting attack.

Stocksfield were asked to field first, and it looked like it was going to play right into their hands as they had the visitors limping along to 41-5.

Opening bowlers Luke Doneathy and Emerson Brown turned up the heat immediately, Doneathy seeing off opener Gavin Turnbull early doors with Brown having Bates captain Ross Symington caught by Ryan Chamberlain and Paul Baston caught by Alex Brown in quick succession to see Cottages to 10-3.

The wickets continued to fall with the introduction of Andrew Wood, Joe Mavin and Martyn Elliott both departing to his bowling.

Stocksfield were looking in control at 41-5, but they allowed the away side get away with things as opener Martin Golightly and Matty Walton moved them swiftly on.

Walton in particular was given the opportunities to rack up the runs, helping Bates to 117 before Chamberlain got the pivotal wicket of Golightly.

Regular wickets fell after that with Emerson Brown, Wood and Doneathy all adding to their victim count, with Walton out last man after a devastating knock.

Stocksfield's start was more disastrous than Bates' and they struggled to 20-5, Alex Brown, Steven Henderson, Ben Archer, Tris Douglas and Doneathy all going early, even if the latter did stick around at the crease without getting the scoreboard ticking.

As in previous weeks, Wood and Danny Whiley tried to rebuild the innings and their partnership of 42 gave them slight hope. However, they suffered a huge setback when Wood departed.

His dismissal brought about a domino effect with Whiley and Thirlwell joining him back in the pavilion soon after.

Chamberlain bravely stuck in towards the end, but Merryweather's capture of both Emerson Brown and James Doneathy saw Stocksfield fall to another disappointing defeat.