REDDITCH ENTACO will need a much-improved performance at home to Milford Hall on Saturday if they are to maintain realistic hopes of a top six finish in Birmingham League Division Three.
The Kingfishers were well below-par as they were beaten by 127 runs at bottom side Whitchurch on Saturday.
Having won the toss, skipper Waqas Ali put the Shropshire side into bat and the home side took full advantage as opener Alex Huxley hit an excellent 66, supported by Ijaz Yousaf who made the same score.
Whitchurch scored an impressive 264-5 off their 50 overs, with Tanay Kulkarni the most impressive of the Kingfishers’ bowling attack with 1-23 off ten overs.
In reply Redditch got off to a poor start as Tom Phelan went first ball and overseas player Tim Fitch suffered a similar fate before the visitors were bowled out for just 137. Kulkarni top-scored with 39 not out.
Skipper Waqas Ali will be boosted by the return of Rizwan Mohammed this weekend.
The 2nds suffered a similar fate at home to bottom club Streetly in Division Two 2nd XI as the visitors took the points with a 26-run victory.
Streetly batted first and posted a useful 239-6 off their 45 overs with Haseeb Hussain (74) and Vickas Maher (68) doing the damage. Steve du Cros enjoyed another decent day with the ball, taking 2-53.
In reply Redditch started well before a clutch of wickets put the visitors in charge. Abdul Jabbar (51) and du Cros (41) shared a half-century partnership but, once they were dismissed, Redditch were bowled out for 213. Haseeb Hussain took 5-52.
The Kingfishers travel to Dorridge on Saturday.
The Worcestershire League Division Five local derby between Redditch 3rds and Cookhill was rain-affected at the Howard Brazil Memorial Ground, with the home side on top.
Redditch batted first and were bowled out for 159 as teenager Ikram Hussain top-scored with 41, supported by Adeel Ahmed (26).
In reply Cookhill lost an early wicket as Rob Pegg bowled Billy Harris for eight but an excellent 52 not out from Brad Horsnall put Cookhill in charge until heavy rain ruined the contest and Cookhill had to settle for a winning draw on 102-2 off 20.2 overs.
Redditch 3rds visit Old Hill on Saturday.
The 4ths finish their Division Eight North season with a home fixture against Enville at Studley Sports & Social Club.
