Whitchurch picked up some crucial points at the weekend when they drew with Redditch in the Birmingham & District Premier Cricket League Division Three.

The returning Alex Huxley chose to give their hosts first use of the track and Redditch were reliant on one batsman, Tom Field, to carry the innings as he made an outstanding 123 from 150 balls.

The hosts finished on 250-9 from their revised 54 overs as Ijaz Yousaf finished the pick of the bowlers for Whitchurch, taking 5-55 from 17 overs. Nadeem Ahmad took took 3-45 from 10.5 while Salim Ahmad took the other wicket.

Surprisingly, Sam Ellis and Daniel Bowen finished wicketless for Whitchurch.

In reply, Salim Ahmad made a positive start to the innings with a hard-working 41 from 102 balls, including four fours while Yousaf chipped in with 30 in the middle order.

However, none of the Whitchurch batters went on to dominate like Field did for the hosts and they were in danger of losing the game as victory slipped away.

But a fine 41 not out from Elliott Bowen and 31 not out from Daniel Bowen steered Huxley's men to 198-7 from their 54 overs and to a draw.

The early league table has Whitchurch sitting third from bottom, occupying one of the four relegation spots.

It wasn't such a fine day for the second XI at Heath road as they were thrashed by nine wickets by Bridgnorth's second string on Saturday.

Mike Ellis's decision to bat first at the toss must have looked a good one following the hot weather but he would have soon regretted it as Whitchurch were bowled out for just 53 inside 22 overs.

Extras was the top score for Whitchu8rch on a miserable day for the side,with the home batting card including six ducks and a seventh score of zero as Ellis was not out batting number 11.

Cameron Wallis's excellent 6-27 from 10.4 overs for the visitors meant Bridgnorth only had to chase down 54.

And they made light work of their target as they lost only one wicket, when Andrew Carson was bowled by James Marvell for just one.

But visiting skipper Oliver Gill finished 26 not out at the top of the innings and he was joined at the end by Ben Lees, who was on 23 not out when Bridgnorth reached 55-1.

Marvell finished with 1-32 from five while Molly Batkin went wicketless.

On Saturday, the first XI are on their travels once more as they head to Stratford-upon-Avon for a 12pm start while the second XI will host Wellington at Heath road for a 12.30pm start.

The third XI will be action on Sunday when they make a short trip to Oswestry to face their fourth XI at Oswestry School for a 1pm start,w hile there is midweek action also, away from Heath Road.