REDDITCH Entaco go into Saturday’s derby with Astwood Bank in fine spirits, and will hope to make it three wins on the bounce following last weekend’s impressive 117-run victory at Old Hill.
Adam Gailey’s side were a class above their rivals at the Haden Hill Ground in Cradley Heath last weekend, recording back-to-back victories for the first time in the Worcestershire League Premier Division this term.
Scoring 229-8 after deciding to bat first, Entaco’s Russell Southwick (78) and Gailey (58) led the way for their side, before Noman Mohammad Chaudhry (5-37) proceeded to wreak havoc on the Old Hill wicket with a five-for that helped skittle out the hosts in the 30th over.
After losing two wickets early on, Redditch recovered through the partnership of 118 runs between Gailey and Southwick which served to set the tone for the remainder of the innings.
Sam Wright (4-53) and Aamir Manzoor (3-35) slowed the run-rate but Redditch saw out their 50 overs thanks to the reliable Dan Protherough (21 not out).
In reply, only three Old Hill batsmen were able to record double figures as Entaco’s bowlers took a stranglehold on the game.
Bilal Hassan (18), Suhayl Iqbal (20) and Aamir Manzoor (28) battled on for the hosts, but Entaco wrapped up victory in double quick time.
Meanwhile, Astwood Bank made it two wins on the spin following a fine 164-run win over Colwall.
With skipper Rob West (76) and Tom Underhill (50) on song, the hosts hit 310-8 at Sambourne Lane to lay down the marker for their eventual triumph.
Unsurprisingly, the visitors struggled to match Astwood Bank’s high scoring, on an afternoon when Dan Taylor tore through the Colwall middle-to-late order in ruthless style to finish with 5-17 in 7.3 overs. There were also two wickers apiece for Daniel Brookes and Alan White as Colwall were all out for 146 in the 37th over.
