Cricket
Redditch are safe despite defeat

REDDITCH breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday as they clinched Worcestershire League Division One survival despite suffering a thumping 191-run defeat at leaders Worcester Nomads.

Despite taking just one point from the match, Coombs Wood's loss at Astwood Bank and Colwall's tense one-wicket defeat at title-chasing Pershore ensured it is Coombs Wood and Colwall who will drop into Division Two.

Saturday began well enough for the Kingfishers as skipper Luke Davis won a rare toss of the coin and decided to bowl.

The visitors enjoyed early success and reduced Nomads to 69-3 as opening bowlers Greg Chinn and Aidan Andrews struck.

However, talented youngster Alex Milton (72) and key all-rounder Liam O'Driscoll added 110 for the fourth wicket to put Nomads in control.

Andrews claimed his third wicket to dismiss Milton but the prolific O'Driscoll (122no) continued to dominate the bowling and a magnificent unbeaten partnership of 127 with John Ingils (54no) saw Nomads make 306-4 off their 50 overs.

Redditch started badly in losing both openers Tom Field and Tom Phelan cheaply and, despite a 60-run partnership between Russell Southwick (40) and Davis (18), Redditch collapsed to just 115 all out to give Nomads 24 valuable points as they chase the title.

Keeper Chris Weaver contributed 29, but there was no stopping Nomads who will be certain of clinching the title and promotion if they win at home to Coombs Wood tomorrow.

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