CAPTAIN Greg Chinn led from the front with both bat and ball as he inspired Redditch Entaco to an 81-run victory at Enville which maintained the Kingfishers’ charge towards the Worcestershire League Division Two title.
Chinn was again in fine form at the top of the order as he made 81 off just 77 balls and team-mates Russell Southwick (79) and Dan Protherough (44) also made run-a-ball knocks as the visitors powered to 302-9 off their 50 overs.
In reply Enville lost an early wicket but Spencer Mann (48) and a magnificent 104 off just 96 balls from Greg Tomkins put the Staffordshire side in a strong position.
However, the introduction of skipper Chinn (6-20) changed the game as Enville crumbled and were eventually bowled out for 221, with Waqas Ali and Kevin Lokenath taking two wickets apiece.
Redditch maintained their 37-point lead over second placed Chaddesley Corbett and now face three big fixtures in a row, starting with the visit of fourth placed Feckenham on Saturday.
The following weekend Redditch travel to Chaddesley and on August 13 Coombs Wood, currently third, travel to Redditch.
THE 2NDS continued their excellent Division One 2nd XI season with a 20-run victory over visitors Colwall.
Redditch were bowled out for 279 as opener Olly Mason led the way with 62 and received good support from Nick Fowkes (30), Geoff Eley (27) and 26 apiece from Naseek Hussain and Matt Greenway.
In reply opener Mark Jefferson (78) and 68 from skipper Matt Morgan helped Colwall bounce back but Mason crowned his excellent day by taking 3-40 and 3-26 from Fowkes saw Redditch home.
On Saturday Eley’s third placed side face a tough-looking encounter at leaders Worcester Nomads.
THERE were mixed fortunes for the 3rds and 4ths against Stourbridge.
In Division Five, the 3rds went down by 62 runs away from home.
Vikesh Patel with 72 saw Stourbridge post 238-7 off 50 overs and in reply Redditch could only manage 176-7 with contributions from Faizan Ahmed (39), Matt Harrey (30) and Adam Freeman (22).
The 4ths crept home by one wicket at Entaco in Division Five 2nd XI.
Stourbridge could only muster 84 as Nev Mason (3-10) and Dave Simons (3-23) did the damage but Redditch made hard work of their reply and needed a fine 22 from Adam Sharp, 16 from Mason and 13 not out from skipper Dean Ottley to seal victory.
On Saturday Tenbury Wells are the opponents for the 3rds (home) and 4ths (away).
The over 45s team progressed into the semi-finals after a hard fought victory at Earlswood on Sunday.
Redditch posted 228-6 off 35 overs as Mason and Eley scored 53 apiece.
Earlswood responded well with Abhi Laleham (49) and Kevin Bissett (40) helping them to 220-8 off 35 overs, but it was the Kingfishers who squeezed home by eight runs in a tight finish.
Paul Lees rolled back the years with 3-45 as he proved to be the pick of the bowling.
WITH the Tim Ambrose benefit match just a fortnight away, Redditch Entaco have just two tables remaining in the marquee for the event, which includes a four-course lunch, an auction and Q&A with the players.
The event starts at 12.30pm before a T20 match between Kingfishers and Warwickshire XIs gets under way around 4pm.
Joining Bears wicketkeeper Ambrose in action will be Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott, Rikki Clarke, Ian Westwood, Dominic Ostler, Alan Richardson, Boyd Rankin, Jeetan Patel and Gladstone Small.
For more details e-mail [email protected] or call club chairman Daren Field on 07985 382320.
