RAMPANT Redditch reeled off an excellent eight wicket win over Stourport to remain hard on the heels of the Worcester County League Division One leaders.

After restricting Stourport to 193 all out, Redditch chased down their target in style by reaching a winning 194 for two in the space of 30 overs.

Club spokesman Gary Fisher claimed: "It was probably our best performance of the season so far.

"We were obviously aware when we replied that rain was coming in at some stage, but we didn't go out to throw the bat, we batted sensibly and punished the bad ball!

Having lost Brandon Weal with just 15 runs on board, fellow opening bat Greg Chinn cracked a rapid 40 and laid the foundation for skipper Russ Southwick and Ghulam Mayhuddin to take the game away from Stourport.

Southwick struck a cultured 90 not out off 93 balls while Mayhuddin added a run-a-ball 56 not out, the pair putting on 132 for the third wicket.

Gary Fisher added: "Greg Chinn gave the innings good momentum before Russ Southwick took over and grew in confidence as the innings progressed. It was a high quality innings from Russell who never looked like giving a chance, while Ghulam just batted sensibly at the opposite end.

"In truth, it was a very good toss to win as I'm sure Stourport would have put us in to bat first given the chance.

"But the bowling and fielding was as good as the batting and we held our catches when they came our way.

"Although Stourport reached 193, a score of around 240 was what they really required but we bowled really well with Waqas Ali only giving away 10 runs in his first seven overs.

"Last week, it was the pace bowlers who excelled, but this time the spinners did all the damage."

Waqas went onto take two for 25, while Ghulam Mayhuddin grabbed two for 32 and Haris Ali Mohammed three for 40.

The victory was all the more pleasing as Redditch were missing Noman and Rizwan Chaudhry following a family bereavement.

Both are expected to back available this Saturday when Redditch travel to top of the table Bewdley.