SKIPPER Russell Southwick will be looking for a change in fortunes as Redditch Entaco enter the second half of the season.
Redditch have only managed to secure one victory in their first six Worcestershire League Regional Premier Division Cup Group B games and things do not get any easier as they make the short trip along the Evesham Road to Astwood Bank on Saturday.
Last weekend the Kingfishers fell agonisingly short by one run against group leaders Pershore.
Put into bat, the Plums – who had scored 280 the week before – struggled against the pace of Ghulam Moyhuddin and early wickets fell.
A fine 37 from skipper Chris Ridings steadied the ship but Redditch kept chipping away with Haris Ali the pick of the bowling attack.
Charlie Cross added 27 in quick time but Waqas Ali in his second spell took three quick wickets to dismiss the visitors for just 156. Waqas Ali took 3-31, Haris Ali 3-30 and Moyhuddin 2-16.
In reply Redditch started well with Luke Davis and Adeel Sajid making 33 for the opening wicket.
Pershore sensed an opening and two more wickets in quick succession saw Redditch reduced to 33-3.
Skipper Southwick (33) and Haris Ali (26) added 50 for the fourth wicket but Pershore maintained the pressure with some excellent bowling.
Captain Ridings had a good day behind the stumps as Pershore reduced Redditch to 146-7 and, with ten needed off the final over, Redditch were beaten by one run.
On Saturday Southwick makes one change to his team with in-form opening batsman Oliver Mason returning to the side.
The 2nds, who recorded their first victory the previous weekend against Himbleton, could not repeat their exploits against the same opponents as Himbleton ran out comfortable winners by four wickets.
Redditch struggled to just 163 all out with Haleem Basharat top-scoring with 39. Skipper Dan Protherough chipped in with 35 and Richard Stokes added 28 but the lower order crumbled against some good bowling from Himbleton.
Redditch needed early wickets but they failed to come as Himbleton dominated through Sean Jenkins (30), Jamie Alford (27) and Richard Pretty (24) to see their side home inside 33 overs.
On Saturday Davis returns as captain as Avoncroft are the visitors to Bromsgrove Road and a good game is in store after the opening fixture in July ended in a tie.
