Whitchurch made return to winning ways to reignite their Birmingham League division two campaign, writes JAMES GARRISON.

Back-to-back defeats had seen the Heath Road men drop from top position to mid-table. But they rekindled their form to ease to a five-wicket victory over high-flying Water Orton.

Chasing 243 for victory, Whitchurch got off to an impressive start with stand-in captain Maz Hasnain making 52 and fellow opener Simon Gregory 32 in a first wicket stand of 68.

The home side were reduced to 108-3 before a stand of 115 between Richard Oliver and Ian Gregory – who hit 82 and 46 respectively – put the outcome beyond doubt.

Earlier, Amjad Alikhan and Martyn Williams had each taken three wickets as Water Orton collapsed from 197-2 to end on 242-7 from their 55 overs.

Bridgnorth picked up 16 points after dominating their home winning draw with Harborne.

The home side had looked in trouble at 130-6 before Gareth Mumford’s unbeaten 75 and 56 from captain Mark MacPherson-Lees steered them to 266-7 off 55 overs.

Harborne made little attempt to chase the runs and, despite 3-28 for Tom Weaver, they ended on 171-6.

“It was a belting track and very difficult to get batsmen out when they weren’t playing many shots,” said team manager Ray Perry.

St Georges suffered another agonising narrow defeat as they went down by 16 runs at home to promotion-chasing Evesham.

The Worcestershire side declared after 51 overs at 248-6, second team captain Joe Turner marking a rare first team start for St Georges with 4-72.

Pete Taylor gave the Dragons a solid start with the bat with a half century, while Chris Miller and Godfrey Stevens made contributions of 39 and 31.

But, despite 30 down the order from Ben Bryam and an unbeaten 23 from Scott Peckham, St Georges were dismissed for 232 in the 53rd over to leave them rooted to the bottom of the table.