Cricket
Redditch slip into the drop zone

REDDITCH were resoundingly beaten by visitors Droitwich on Saturday and slipped into the Worcestershire League Division One relegation zone as a result.

Despite an early breakthrough from Aidan Andrews, Redditch suffered in the field as Droitwich's experinced batsmen scored 333-4 off their 50 overs, with Stuart Bryan (91), Paul Bryan (77no), Max Young (74) and Ian Cottrill (53no) doing the damage.

The hosts needed a good start in reply and teenager Tom Field set the pace with a magnificent 86 but wickets tumbled around him and, despite some late runs from both Perry Derrick and Greg Chinn who each made 20, Redditch were bowled out for just 215 in the 46th over and were beaten by 118 runs.

The loss leaves Redditch and Hagley both on 103 points and with only Coombs Wood below them in the table, but the Kingfishers have an immediate chance to climb out of the bottom two tomorrow when they welcome Hagley to Bromsgrove Road.

Captain Luke Davis has shown his faith in the team by naming an unchanged side.

There was better news for Redditch 2nds who continued their excellent form in Division Two 2nd XI with a fine six-wicket victory at Wormelow.

Stand-in skipper Geoff Eley proved to be captain marvel as his unbeaten 58 was the backbone of the visitors' 206-4 in reply to the hosts' 203-4.

Wormelow's Ian Herbert made 101 and Jeewan Puri 58, whilst Kevin Lokenath took 2-61 off 17 overs.

A solid start from Redditch openers Jack Roberson (27) and Abdul Jabbar (21) laid the foundations for Eley and Devlin Jacobs (41) to see Redditch home.

The Kingfishers are sixth - 28 points adrift of the second promotion spot - ahead of tomorrow's visit to Stourport.

Both the 3rds and 4ths had entertaining fixtures which unfortunately brought two defeats.

Visitors Highley beat the 3rds by five wickets. Redditch batted first and scored 162-9 off 45 overs as wicketkeeper Josh Holt (56no) and George Lutwyche (36) made the main contributions.

Highley batted sensibly and a fine 64 not out from Andy Unitt saw the visitors to 163-5 in the 42nd over.

Raheem Basharat was the pick of the Redditch bowlers with 2-23.

The 4ths travelled to Worcester Nomads and put in a magnificent performance despite only fielding eight players.

Nomads amassed 249 all out, largely due to William Beazley's 129, whilst Adeel Ahmed (4-43) and Mark Evans (3-35) were the pick of the Redditch bowlers.

Despite an excellent 55 from skipper Ashley Davis and 45 from Ahmed, depleted Redditch were bowled out for 148 to give Nomads victory by 101 runs.

Sunday's fixtures against Studley and Astwood Bank saw the 1st XI gain a morale-boosting 21-run victory at Washford Fields.

Redditch made 134 all out, with Josh Gandy taking 5-31 and skipper Davis top scoring with 34.

In reply the Redditch bowlers found their form and Aussie overseas ace Andrews did the damage by taking 4-7 as Studley struggled and, despite two fine knocks from Dale Edwards (35) and Chris Leavers (32), Studley finished on 113-9 off their 36 overs.

An excellent game at Bromsgrove Road saw Astwood Bank take the points in winning by 20 runs in the 2nd XI fixture.

Batting first, Bank scored 204-8 off their 40 overs as Mike Desmond (70) and Jim Prescott (68) led the way.

Redditch responded and a magnificent 89 from skipper Ashley Freeman almost won the game for them.

Both captains Mark Shurmer and Freeman commented afterwards about the excellent spirit in which the game was played.

Redditch U14s lost their Worcestershire County Cup semi-final to Old Elizabethans by eight wickets on Wednesday.

Redditch could only muster 91-7 off their 20 overs and Old Elizabethans wasted no time in reaching their target as Sam Langston (31no) carried his bat to give the visitors a well deserved victory.

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