REDDITCH remain 24 points clear on top of Worcestershire County League Division Two despite their game against Chaddesley Corbett being curtailed at the tea interval through rain.

Russ Southwick stood out with a superb 65 as Redditch were removed for 157 all out after 44.4 overs.

Redditch skipper Greg Chinn was full of praise for Southwick and said: "When Chaddesley took the covers off, they produced the biggest green seamers wicket I've ever played on. The ball swung for miles and they had two really good seam bowlers in Bilal Hassan and Mo Saddiq, but Russ was sublime.

He showed great technique in knowing when to let the ball go, while attacking everything that was within his sphere.

"In fact all the batsmen showed a great deal of patience and I believe the score of 157 would have been worth 250 anywhere else."

Chaddesley never got to reply as the wicket deteriorated during tea which resulted with puddles appearing on the pitch and the game was eventually abandoned.

Chinn is confident Redditch's bowling attack will prove a real threat this season.

Noman Choundhry has stepped up from the Second XI to open the attack with fellow seam bowler Waqas Ali while Chin and Southwick add further seam options.

Another seamer is Sam Egan who has also been promoted from the Second XI having already taken 15 wickets this season while Tom Field provides off spin.

Despite losing key players like Luke Davis to Studley while Perry Derrick switched to join Stratford, Chinn believes his bowling attack will prove a potent force this season.

He said: "Although we've lost players, others have come in and really stepped up. It's early days yet, but I've been very encouraged."