REDDITCH Entaco could be crowned Worcestershire League Division One champions this weekend if they can defeat nearest rivals Bewdley at Bromsgrove Road and Cookley fail to beat Hagley.
The Kingfishers maintained their 34-point advantage over second placed Bewdley with a crushing 154-run victory at Stourport on Saturday and are in brilliant form heading into Saturday’s battle of the top two with 13 league victories to their name.
Skipper Russell Southwick, who has named an unchanged side for the Bewdley test, was in inspirational form with an unbeaten 116 in the Kingfishers’ total of 302-4 off their 50 overs.
Tom Field and Olly Mason chipped in with 71 and 40 respectively.
In reply Stourport started well but the Redditch seam bowlers soon got on top as Waqas Ali (5-49) and Ghulam Moyhuddin (3-28) impressed and two wickets for spinner Haris Ali saw Stourport collapse to 148 all out.
Before the start of this weekend’s big game the club will hold a minute’s silence for former captain, club steward and groundsman Dick Biddle who sadly passed away last weekend.
The 2nds remain top of Division One 2nd XI following Saturday’s losing draw at home to Stourport.
The visitors posted an impressive 259-9 off 50 overs as opener Ryan Delo (102) and Mitch Dwyers (51) did the damage. Haleem Basharat took 6-76 for the Kingfishers.
In reply Redditch were soon in trouble as they slipped to 56-6 but a partnership of 131 between skipper Asif Mukhtar (83) and Geoff Eley (55) repaired the damage.
Stourport picked up another late wicket but Redditch held on to finish on 205-8.
Redditch, who have a nine-point lead over second placed Feckenham, visit Bewdley on Saturday.
The 3rds and 4ths completed their seasons in mixed fashion.
The 3rds beat visitors Harborne by 48 runs and end the Division Five campaign in fourth place.
Redditch posted 205-8 off 45 overs as Stefan Jagielski led the way with 87 and Anis Suleman enhanced his growing reputation as a batsman with 25.
In reply Harborne lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 157 in the 44th over, with Habib Ahmed taking 4-23 and Ajmal Wafa 2-40.
The 4ths suffered a heavy Division Five 2nd XI defeat at Harborne, going down by 158 runs after being bowled out for just 108 chasing Harborne’s huge total of 266-9 built around a fine 106 from Pradeep Kalsi.
