Eastnor collected a maximum 24 points and moved into second place in the Crusader Worcestershire County League with this 108-run win against Pedmore.

EASTNOR v PEDMORE

Batting first Eastnor made a fine 232-9 with A Hussein top scoring and unbeaten on 91.

In reply Pedmore struggled against the bowling of S Ahmed who closed with splendid figures of 7-45.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Eastnor are away at Hagley.

PEDMORE 2rd XI v EASTNOR 2nd XI

ON an overcast afternoon, Eastnor second XI made the trip to Birmingham to face Pedmore.

Captain Steve Emery won the toss, and invited the home team to have a bat. After making a comfortable start, Pedmore started to wobble as soon as Hurrel claimed the wicket of Wenham (5) caught by youngster Razza. Wadley then took the wicket of Foster (9) with a good catch from Phillips running away to his left. Hurrel claimed a wicket in his next over, clean bowling Hipkiss for just 4.

With Wadley also taking another wicket, Weston caught in the slips by Emery, this left Pedmore in trouble at 38-4. Emery then introduced Matt Phillips into the attack, and the change had an immediate effect. He bowled a tight line, taking three wickets for just 16 runs, off eight overs. He also introduced 15-year-old Marc Wildig who did his job well. He bowled the opener Horwood (38), the only player to make double fingers, and followed that up by clean bowling Maley for a duck.

With Emery determined to wrap up Pedmore's innings as soon as possible, with the rain starting to fall, he brought back Hurrel, and with his first ball had Taylor caught with a spectacular diving catch by Phillips at square leg, Phillips ending up with four catches. As Eastnor left the field, the heavens opened, and they were left wondering if they were going to be able to chase the 92 runs they needed.

After a short break for the rain, and the tea break taken, Eastnor we confident of collecting their first win of the season. With the first ball of the innings being smashed away for four, it seemed to spur openers Dave Jones (37) and Simon Astbury (41no) on. Both played a sensible innings before Jones was caught behind. With Emery failing to trouble to scorers, it was left to Eastnor's other 15-year-old in the team, Pat Locke, and Astbury to grab the winning runs before the rain returned.

Eastnor eventually won the game by eight wickets, and with 44 overs still in hand.