REDDITCH Entaco head into tomorrow’s Birmingham League Division Three fixture against bottom-of-the-table Whitchurch in good spirits after last week’s impressive performance in beating Handsworth by five wickets.
The win was even more impressive as Redditch were without the services of skipper Waqas Ali who was on holiday.
Stand-in skipper Tom Phelan inspired his side as Handsworth were blown away in the first half of the game. The visitors were reduced to 6-3, with Haris Ali striking twice, and Pershore could not recover.
They were finally bowled out for just 134 with only Bevonin Brown showing any sort of form with 87 off 80 balls.
Inflicting the damage were Haris Ali, who took 3-51, Ghulam Moyhuddin (2-40),Tanay Kulkarni (2-9) and Haleem Basharat (1-30).
In reply Redditch lost opener Tom Field (11), Olly Mason (5), and Tim Fitch (1) to leave them 55-3 but sensible batting from Rizwan Chaudry, who hit 52, and 44 not out from Haris Ali guided Redditch home in 43.4 overs.
The remaining fixtures for the season now revert to win/lose as Redditch now lie 43 points clear of the bottom four teams.
The Seconds travelled to Handsworth and came away with a losing draw.
The home side scored 223-4 off 50 overs, with Karanveer Bhalla scoring 68 with support from Bilal Khan 51 and 64 from Clifton Folkes.
In reply Redditch lost early wickets and match-saving knocks from Raheem Basharat (50), Marlon Lokenath (38) and 17 not out at the end from Kevin Lokenath took Redditch through to 173-9 off their 50 overs.
Tomorrow bottom-of-the-table Streetley visit Bromsgrove Road.
The Thirds suffered a heavy home defeat against a rejuvenated Pershore side at the Entaco in Worcestershire County League Division Five.
Batting first, Redditch were bowled out for 196 in 44.5 overs, Ian Phelan leading the way with 40 supported by Chris Reed (29) and Faheem Shahid (2).
Pershore started strongly and a fine 101 not out from Jonathan Stickler and 47 from Dominic Capaldi steered the Plums home in just 31.4 overs.
Tomorrow, the Thirds make the shirt trip to Cookhill.
The Fourths are in action this week as Himley 5ths are the visitors to the Entaco.
