THERE was disappointment for Redditch Entaco in last Thursday’s East Worcestershire Clubs T20 League Cup final as they were beaten by Barnt Green, but the Kingfishers rallied to secure a winning draw in Saturday’s Worcestershire League Division One encounter at Evesham.
Redditch went into the T20 final at Bromsgrove on the back of a narrow defeat to Barnt Green in the final group game of the competition, but the final proved to be a far different affair as Green secured a convincing eight-wicket victory.
Redditch, whose captain Perry Derrick suffered a broken thumb, made 153-6 in which Russell Southwick again showed his liking for this format of the game with a powerful 73 off 48 balls and Jack Roberson also impressed with 44.
However, it soon became apparent this total was insufficient – especially without the bowling services of Derrick – as Barnt Green opener William Baker powered his way to 77 and Simon Mugava made an unbeaten 40 in a total of 156-2 in 17.2 overs.
Redditch rallied to secure a winning draw at Evesham two days later which leaves them eighth in the table and 35 points above the bottom two heading into Saturday’s visit of seventh placed Hagley.
The Kingfishers, who picked up 15 points, were indebted to an unbeaten 103 from South African Francois Mostert at the top of the order, 43 from Tom Field and an unbeaten 36 from the hard-hitting Stefan Jagielski for their total of 259-4.
The hosts were in real trouble in reply at 63-4 as all the bowlers impressed, but they hung on to close on 176-7 off 44 overs.
Waqas Ali took 2-30 off 13 overs and Field 2-36 off nine.
ASTWOOD BANK prevailed by 47 runs in a low-scoring Birmingham League Division Three affair at Milford Hall on Saturday.
This third league win of the season cements eighth place for Steve Adshead’s side, who will now be entertaining thoughts of a top half finish, especially if they can defeat sixth placed Fordhouses at the Bank Bowl on Saturday.
Only opener Ryan Blakemore (33) made any impression for Bank with the bat in a total of 124, but the maximum 24 points were clinched thanks to a magnificent bowling performance which saw the hosts skittled for 77.
Opener Daniel Betty made 40 of that total in as the hosts were bowled out inside 23 overs thanks to Dan Thomas (3-12), Jon Summers (3-6) and Andrzej Jagielski (3-6).
STUDLEY’S desperate Warwickshire League Division One form continued as they were beaten by 43 runs by Coventry-based visitors Standard.
The Washford Fields side, who make the trip to Coleshill on Saturday, are now beginning to get cut adrift in the bottom two.
Captain Steve Rose bowled impressively to take 3-28 off seven overs as Standard were restricted to 216-8 off their 50 overs, but the batting was again the major problem for the hosts who were dismissed for 173 with five balls of their innings remaining, with Simon Stamenkovic (32) the only man to pass 30.
