REDDITCH Entaco CC suffered a seven-wicket defeat against Astwood Bank despite a half-century from Hassan Akram.
Astwood Bank won the toss and elected to field as Entaco openers Ayaan Chaudhary (4) and Yassar Altaf (8) both fell cheaply at the Josh Baker Oval.
However, Akram (67) scored a half-century in an 87-ball knock which included 11 boundaries.
Middle order runs from Isa Zaroo (32), Muhammad Safyan (30) and Haleem Basharat (23) boosted the away side’s total.
Entaco reached 213 all out at the end of their 50 overs as Dan Taylor (3-48) and Theo Needles (3-55) took three wickets apiece.
Astwood Bank made a strong start in reply as openers Robert West (60) and Harry Summers (52) put on 95 runs for the first wickets.
Both batters recorded half-centuries while Jake Browning (61) also reached a half-ton as the runs continued to flow.
Wickets for Basharat (1-27), Noman Chaudhry (1-54) and Waqas Ali (1-62) proved in vain as Astwood Bank reached the required total in 34.5 overs.
The result means Entaco remain bottom of the Worcestershire County League Premier Division table with Astwood Bank in ninth place.
Redditch Entaco are next in action against Stourport-on-Severn on Saturday, July 25 with play to begin at 12pm(midday) at Bromsgrove Road.
