REDDITCH Entaco will be aiming to bounce back from their first defeat of the season when they host early season leaders Cookley at Bromsgrove Road on Saturday.
The Kingfishers suffered a dramatic 19-run last over defeat in a dramatic Worcestershire League Division One game at Hagley on Saturday.
Visiting skipper Russell Southwick won the toss and enjoyed early success but a century second-wicket partnership between Dan Giles (46) and James Spavin (61) put the home side in the ascendancy.
Skipper Michael Stead hit a fluent unbeaten 81 off just 80 balls and 37 from all-rounder Amjad Ali saw the home side to 274-5 off 50 overs.
Noman Choudry (2-61) and Waqas Ali (2-72) were the pick of the Kingfishers’ bowling.
In reply Redditch started off in positive fashion with opener Greg Chinn scoring 46 off just 26 balls but Hagley kept chipping away.
Giles picked up the vital wickets of Southwick (35) and Brandon Weal (20) as Redditch slipped to 150-6, but Ghulam Moyhuddin and Haris Ali added 53.
Moyhuddin (75no) continued to flourish but wickets continued to tumble and two wickets from Amjad Ali saw Hagley home off the penultimate ball of the game as Redditch were dismissed for 255.
THE 2NDS continued their excellent start to the Division One 2nd XI season with a 127-run victory over visitors Hagley to sit top with maximum points alongside Worcester.
Redditch scored 279-5 off 50 overs as teenager Olly Mason led the way with 93. Skipper Asif Mukhtar continued his excellent start to the season with 63 and there was a cameo 37 not out from Abdul Jabbar.
In reply Hagley started well through Stephen Plant (57) and Simon James (32) but, once the Kingfishers had made the breakthrough, the visitors collapsed to 152 all out as teenagers Aleem Shahid (4-7) and Hassan Zahid (3-20) did the damage and Mason continued his excellent day with 2-9.
On Saturday the 2nds travel to Evesham who have lost the opening two fixtures.
The 3rds opened their Division Five campaign with defeat as Old Hill won by 222 runs.
Old Hill scored 319-8 off 45 overs with Daud Ahmed leading the way with 108, ably supported by Simran Pnaiser 50. Skipper Tom Hemming took 3-63.
In reply the hosts lost early wickets and never recovered as only 40 from Ajmal Wafa offered any resistance. Redditch were dismissed for just 97 in 30 overs.
On Saturday Oldswinford & Stourbridge Social are the visitors to Entaco for the 4ths, whilst the 3rds are away.
Redditch open their Sunday League season against Solihull Blossomfield at Bromsgrove Road this weekend (2pm). This year Redditch have moved from the Worcestershire League to the Arden Sunday League and captain for the season is Abdul Jabbar.
