REDDITCH Entaco powered into second place in Worcestershire League Division One with a crucial four-wicket home win over fellow high-flyers Hagley.
The in-form Kingfishers are now just 16 points behind leaders Worcester ahead of another crunch encounter on Saturday at third placed Cookley, who trail Redditch by one point.
Hagley won the toss, decided to bat and put themselves in a good position thanks to their top four including 78 from Alex Millard and 70 from Michael Stead.
However, Redditch stuck at their task and fought back well to restrict the visitors to 237-6 as Waqas Ali took 2-32 and Greg Chinn 2-40.
In reply Redditch lost Chinn for 12 but a partnership of 84 between Tom Field (24) and in-form captain Russell Southwick (90) put Redditch back on track.
Southwick and Brandon Weal (49) continued the chase by adding 87 for the third wicket before Rizwan Mohammed’s fine 37 not out eased the hosts to 241-6 in the 45th over.
REDDITCH Entaco 2nds remain second in Division One 2nd XI but have closed the gap on leaders Feckenham to six points thanks to a six-wicket victory at Hagley.
The home side were restricted to 202-9 off 50 overs as James Trinham top scored with 83 not out. Haleem Basharatt took 4-35.
An opening partnership of 123 between Faizan Ahmed (63) and Nick Fowkes (59) laid a solid base and 33 not out from veteran Geoff Eley saw Redditch home in 39/1 overs.
Struggling Evesham visit Bromsgrove Road on Saturday.
The 3rds enjoyed a good 12-run victory at home to Stourbridge in Division Five.
Redditch scored 199-7 off 45 overs as Habib Ahmed (35) and Ajmal Wafa (34) led the way. In reply, an excellent 81 from Jasper Davidson put Stourbridge in control but disciplined bowling at the end saw the Kingfishers home as Dan Protherough took 2-44.
The 4ths suffered a six-wicket defeat at Stourbridge in Division Five 2nd XI as they were bowled out for just 118, in which Anis Suleman top scored with 49.
Stourbridge completed the job in 31 overs despite Ben Hicklin taking 3-18 off nine overs.
On Saturday the 3rds and 4ths face Pershore.
