EASTNOR'S second straight win, after an impressive run chase at second-placed Stourbridge, has moved the villagers up to fifth in the Birmingham League Division Two table.

The visitors shrugged off the absence from their attack of star pace-man Shahid Ahmed but the all-rounder proved his worth with the bat with an excellent unbeaten 71 which guided his side home.

In Shahid's absence, Shameer Ahmed did a good job as opening-bowling replacement.

"Shameer conceded only six runs from his first six overs and then, when he came back for the spell between overs 40 and 51, his next six still only went for 26," said Eastnor spokesman Malcolm Hughes.

"It was an outstanding effort for a 15-year-old.

Sajid Ali also bowled well to take 3-72 but, with Audy Alexander striking a century against Eastnor for the second successive season, Stourbridge put together an impressive 250-6 from their 55 overs.

"The pitch played well but I thought we had given them too many," admitted Hughes.

With both openers back in the pavilion, and Arshad Hussain retiring hurt, with the half-century still not reached, Eastnor faced an uphill target.

But Atiq (96) and Faisal (44) set the visitors on the path to victory and some powerful hitting by Shahid (71 not out) ensured the target was reached with eight balls to spare.