Cricket
Knockout Trophy glory for Redditch 2nds

Buy photos » Redditch 2nds celebrate their victory. (s)

A SUPERLATIVE all-round performance from Noman Choudry powered Redditch to victory in the Worcestershire League 2nd XI Knockout Trophy final against a spirited Belbroughton side at Ombersley last Thursday.

Choudry contributed 89 not out off just 45 balls including four fours and eight sixes as Redditch posted an imposing 159-6 off their 15 eight-ball overs.

Belbroughton fell short on 144-8 and the Kingfishers were able to celebrate a 15-run victory.

Skipper for the day Geoff Eley won the toss and elected to bat and the kingfishers were soon in trouble as they lost Eley and Perry Derrick cheaply.

Craig Wilkes and Choudry added some urgency to the batting as they put on 33 for the third wicket before Wilkes was caught and bowled by Rick Wrigley for 10.

Evergreen Paul Humphries failed to trouble the scorers but Choudry, now growing in confidence, took on the Belbroughton attack and Matt Mansfield (7) added valuable support as they added 39 for the fifth wicket before Mansfield was well stumped by keeper Phil Boardman.

Choudry continued to dominate and reached his fifty off just 32 balls.

Ash Davis (10) became Boardman's second stumping victim to leave Redditch on 118-6 with less than three overs remaining but Choudry went to town and, well supported by Abdul Jabbar, added 41 to leave Redditch well placed.

Redditch, buoyed by their excellent start, soon put pressure on Belbroughton and an excellent spell from Derrick, supported by Ryan Humphries, put Redditch in control.

Belbroughton bounced back and a big scoring over off Humphries tipped the scales towards the side chasing the runs.

However, Mat Spells (12) fell to a smart catch off Derrick by skipper Eley and, with the score on 59, Redditch claimed the big scalp of Wrigley (31) as Derrick took a neat catch off Choudry.

Two runs later Tom Pardoe was bowled by Choudry and wickets were falling at regular intervals to leave Belbroughton struggling on 80-5.

Mark Burrows (39) and John Hawk (14) added 45 until Choudry claimed his fourth wicket.

Two more wickets fell as Belbroughton went for the big hits and they eventually finished on 144-8.

Not a ball was bowled by any of Redditch's four Saturday teams and prospects of play tomorrow are in the balance.

Weather permitting the 1sts have a home fixture against Worcester, whilst the 2nds travel to Worcester.

The 3rds travel to Stone and the 4ths entertain Bromyard 3rds at HDA.

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