THE BATTLE for Worcestershire League Division One survival is hotting up for Redditch Entaco who have four matches to preserve their status, starting with two games over a crucial Bank Holiday weekend.
The Kingfishers hung on to secure a losing draw at home to high-flying Worcester Nomads on Saturday, but it was not enough to prevent them from slipping into the bottom two as a result of Pedmore’s victory at Belbroughton.
A crucial clash now awaits on Saturday as Redditch head to fellow strugglers Pedmore before welcoming Hagley to Bromsgrove Road on Monday.
Having won the toss and elected to bowl, the Redditch bowlers responded to captain Luke Davis’ decision as they dismissed Nomads for just 176 in the 47th over, with Perry Derrick taking 4-22 and Tom Field 3-54.
After the tea break Redditch lost Jack Roberson and Rizwan Choudry very early before two heavy rainstorms put the Kingfishers on the back foot as the weather conditions deteriorated.
Field continued his good form with the bat by scoring 37, whilst Ghulam Moyhuddin (21) and a cameo 22 not out from Tom Phelan saw Redditch through to 138-9 off 40 overs as Nomads took 14 points and Redditch six.
The 2nds got the better of Nomads with a winning draw in Division One 2nd XI as Nick Fowkes found some form with an excellent 77, well supported by Yassar Altaf (27) and Oliver Mason (21) as Redditch scored 230-9 off their 50 overs.
In reply hosts Nomads struggled with the conditions and finished on 161-8 off 39 overs, with Kevin Lokenath (3-23) and Noman Choudry (3-61) the top wicket-takers.
On Saturday Pedmore visit Bromsgrove Road and on Monday mid-table Redditch head to Hagley.
There were mixed results for the 3rds and 4ths against fellow strugglers Hallow as the 3rds returned home with a losing draw in Division Five but the 4ths were beaten on home soil in Division Five 2nd XI.
It was a tough day in the field for the 3rds as Hallow scored 341-6, of which opener Dave Pugh scored an unbeaten 151. Matt Mansfield took three wickets.
In reply Naseek Hussain and Marlon Lokenath both hit half-centuries as Redditch finished on 138-2 before rain halted play in the 21st over.
Hallow took the points against the 4ths as they won by four wickets. Captain Dean Ottley hit 93 as the Kingfishers made 159, which was not enough as Hallow cruised home with more than three overs to spare. Adam Freeman and Mo Zahid both took two wickets apiece.
The 3rds and 4ths finish their league seasons on Saturday against Old Elizabethans at home and away respectively.