Cricket
Redditch ease relegation fears

BATTLING Redditch took another big step towards avoiding relegation from Worcestershire League Division One thanks to a six wicket victory over basement-boys Colwall on Saturday.

The impressive success lifted Redditch 28 points clear of the drop zone with just four games remaining.

Skipper Luke Davis had no hesitation in electing to bowl on winning the toss and it proved a wise decision as Greg Chinn grabbed a quick wicket.

Colwall recovered from the early loss and offered plenty of resistance with Dan Head (17), Dan McKay (36), Max Backhouse (15), Ben Wheeler (64) and Fred Coleman (26) lifting the total to 199 for 9 at the end of 50 overs.

Aidfan Andrews was the most successful bowler by returning 5-56 from 16 overs, while Nev Mason took 3-65 from 15 overs.

Tom Field was an early casualty in reply but Davis (59) and Dan Protherough (30) put the chase firmly back on track by sharing a second wicket stand of 111.

Russell Southwick continued the good work by hitting 57 off just 45 balls, while Chris Weaver (16no) and James Bevan (3no) eased Redditch to 202 for 4 with 3.2 overs to spare.

Redditch visit title-chasing Pershire tomorrow (Saturday) before entertaining Astwood Bank in a local derby on Monday.

Redditch 2nds suffered a 59 run defeat at their Cookley counterparts on Saturday.

The home side were restricted to 159 for 9 thanks to good bowling from Matt Grubb 3-33, Kevin Lokenath 2-32 and Tom Phelan 2-36.

Redditch openers Phelan (37) and Jack Roberson (31) shared a first wicket stand of 54 but the reply then collapsed to 100 all out in 32.5 overs with Danny Soley 7-20 and Iain Roberts 2-10 doing the damage.

ASTWOOD BANK remain fourth in the table after romping to a convincing 145 run Division One victory at Oldswinford on Saturday.

Bank amassed 224 for 5 in their 50 overs with Stephen Adshead (96) and Alex Robinson (86) scoring the lions share.

The home side were then dismissed for just 79 in 39 overs with Tom Harris proving the match-winner by delivering superb figures of 8-26 from 15 overs.

Bank entertain Droitwich on Saturday.

ALVECHURCH & HOPWOOD eased their Division Two relegation fears after holding on for a draw at leaders Worcester Dominies who lost top spot to Belbroughton as a result.

The hosts totalled 242 for 5 thanks to solid contributions down the order from Stephen Miles (42), Chris Miles (46), Chris Jones (65), John Hancock (45) and Andrew Wilks (22no).

Christian Battelley 2-69, M Curtice 1-63 aand Neil Evans 2-100 shared the wickets.

Alvechurch never really threatened the imposing target but offered plenty of resistance which was rewarded with a share of the spoils as the reply closed on 184 for 7 with James Lavender (20), James Spavin (38), Pearson (21) and Curtice (36) top scoring.

ENTACO suffered a four wicket Warwickshire League defeat at Aston Manor 4ths on Saturday.

The visitors were put in on losing the toss and got off to a flying start with a 62 run opening partnership from William Feast (23) and debutant Allen Smith (41).

But Entaco stumbled to 82 for 4 in the fce of fine bowling from Trent Turner (4-20).

Skipper Alex Green (12), James Swords (18) and Adam Freeman led the recovery which ensured a respectable total of 147.

Swords and Ian Quiney grabbed early wickets to put the hosts in trouble, while left-armer Allen Smith returned tidy figures of 3-29.

But Aston Manor recovered and edged to 151 for 6 in the 44th over.

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