EASTNOR remain in contention for a top-five place in the Division Two of the Birmingham League after a thrilling seven-run win over Stratford-upon-Avon.

Skipper Clive Chadhani won the toss and led from the front after electing to bat first. The left-hander cracked three fours and two sixes as he raced to 62, his highest score of the season, in an opening stand of 75 with Andrew Fisher (28).

Atiq ur Rehman (24) and Josh Emery, who hit three sixes in his 27, carried the score forward to 198-8 at the end of Eastnor’s 50 overs.

Ishtiaq Ahmed picked up a couple of wickets early in the Stratford reply but with Peter Wilson (42) and Alex Fisher (48) in good form for the visitors, they advanced towards their target despite the best efforts of Atiq (4-39) and Suleyman Shah (3-30).

At 180-6, Stratford looked favourites for the win but a fine catch by Ishtiaq dismissed Sam Douthwaite (20) and the remainder of the innings subsided as they were all out for 191.

Brockhampton remain in second place in the Premier Division despite suffering a nine-wicket mauling at the hands of champions Shrewsbury.

The Herefordshire side were put into bat and got away to a solid start through Dave Exall (25) and Henry Langford (12).

Skipper Ben Stebbings batted well for 46 but wickets fell steadily, requiring a late flurry from Will Barrett (18) and Charlie Griffiths (12) to take the visitors to 136.

Brockhampton quickly claimed the wicket of Ed Foster (12) when Shrewsbury began their reply but an unbeaten century stand between Steve Leach (61no) and Edward Barnard (46no) steered the champions to a comprehensive victory.

Brockhampton’s second-string enjoyed a much better day, chasing down previous leaders Attock’s 328-8 for the loss of one wicket to record a victory and go top of Second Xl Division One. Teenagers James Mokler and Jack Aldous-Fountain both hit centuries as they shared an opening stand of more than 250 to take Brockhampton to the brink of promotion.