DROITWICH went top of Worcestershire Cricket League Second XI Division Two after a five-wicket victory over Netherton.

A disappointing fielding display meant it might not have been the most convincing of wins but the capture of maximum points was all that mattered as Spa leapfrogged Belbroughton after their defeat to Bromsgrove.

Ollie Sankey took a wicket in the first over before Spa spilled a host of catches that enabled Netherton to post 215-9 which was probably 60 runs more than they would have got.

Martin Woodward and Carl Thomson claimed three wickets apiece.

The reply did not get off to the best of starts when James King was caught in the first over.

But a third-wicket partnership of 110 between Ash Walton (73) and Kieran Wilkins (53) wrestled the game in favour of the hosts.

When the former was dismissed the match could still have gone either way but an unbeaten 34 not out from all-rounder Thomson settled any nerves to secure the valuable win.

Under new skipper Ian Cottrill bottom-of-the-table Spa firsts put in a determined effort but it was not enough to prevent another defeat as Redditch went top of Division One following their five-wicket success.

Spa recovered from 19-4 to score 191-9 with Max Young (88 not out) sharing partnerships of 61 and 57 with Paul Bryan (24) and Adam Shaw (22).

Redditch slipped to 21-2 before a captain’s innings of 75 from Russell Southwick took the game away from Spa as his side reached their target in the 46th over.

Spa thirds battled bravely before going down by 11 runs in Division Five at Old Hill where they just failed to chase down 250.

Nick Sankey hit 69 and Tom Goss finished on 61 not out after Jordan Lewis and Paul Foster earlier each collected four wickets.

After bowling well to restrict Old Hill to 152 the fourths were shot out for just 83 to lose by 69 runs.

On Saturday the firsts, now 72 points adrift of safety, begin a run of three successive home matches as they welcome Stourport to St Peter’s Fields.

The seconds hope to cement top spot at Oldswinford and Stourbridge Social who also provide the opposition for the thirds and fourths.