Whitchurch were held up in their bid for another win in the Birmingham and District Premier Cricket League Division Three on Saturday when they fell two wickets short against Stourbridge.

Alex Huxley’s men batted first and posted a competitive total of 174-9 from their 55 overs on a slow pitch.

Salim Ahmed set the tone for Whitchurch with 35 from 99 balls at the top of the innings, while Ijaz Yousef sped things up a little with an excellent 70 from 96 balls, including seven fours and two sixes.

However, it required an 18 from Eliott Bowen and 14 not out from Evelyn Jones, who was batting at number nine, to drag the Whitchurch score up, while Huxley himself made 19.

Stourbridge brought a disciplined attack with them, conceding only nine extras as Hasnain Nawaz picked up 4-47 from his 15 overs.

In reply, the visitors were 1-1 as Nadeem Ahmad picked up Jujhar Johal while Elliot Bowen came on to take three wickets, including opener Harshad Patel who scored 30 from 89 balls.

Whitchurch’s tight bowling saw Stourbridge reduced to 86-6, but a fantastic 66 from Dwayne Crossgill, off just 73 balls, including eight fours and two sixes.

He was eventually dismissed by Simon Dimelow but Whitchurch ran out of overs with Stourbridge finishing on 160-8 from their 55 overs, leaving the Heath Road men with 13 points for their efforts.

Ahmad finished with 1-17 from nine overs, while Elliot Bowen grabbed 3-42 and Dimelow 3-39, with one for Yousaf.

The second XI were beaten on their travels in the Birmingham & District Premier Cricket League Division Two 2nd XI, losing by eight wickets to C & R Hawks.

Batting first, Whitchurch were shot out for just 127 as James Wojda and Josh Wharton both top-scored with 24 while Luke Parker chipped in with 18, while their hosts contributed an important 27 in extras.

Aslam Patel picked up 4-34 for the hosts while Shahnwaz Kiyani and Thomas Clarke both grabbed three wickets.

In reply, it didn't take C & R Hawks long to reach their target, only losing two wickets along the way as Clarke grabbed a fine 63 not out and opener Mubassir Alo finished 37 not out.

James Marvell and Jack Batkin both took one wicket each as Whitchurch finished with a solitary point.

On Sunday, the third XI picked up a fine 10 wicket win at home to Madeley's fourth XI, as Josh Wharton finished 51 not out and Tom Griffin retired on 50, plus 39 extras as Whitchurch eased past Madeley's 138.

On Saturday, the first XI face Old Elizabethans while the second team host Fordhouses 2s. On Sunday, the third XI travel to Knockin – all at 1pm.