HAGLEY returned to the top of Worcester League Division Two with another nail-biting win.

Chasing 222 for victory at Worcester Dominies, Hagley looked in trouble at 64-5 but recovered to win in the final over.

Having won the toss and chosen to bowl Amjad Ali (5-55) and Craig Bray (1-55) made the decision look a good one as they knocked over three early wickets.

Chris Miles (99) looked steady throughout the innings for Dominies and was initially well supported by Darren Freeman (19), until he fell to John Porter (2-66).

Ali returned to get the crucial wicket of Miles and mopped up the tail as Dominies were all out for 221 in the 49th over.

In reply, Hagley’s top order continued to struggle with none of the top five scoring more than 11.

However, Ali (64) and James Trinham (32) ground out a crucial partnership together. Skipper Russ Andrews (42 not out) then joined Trinham and the pair forged another partnership before the latter was dismissed with the score on 198-7.

Despite the nerves, Andrews and John Porter (16 not out) saw Hagley home.

They host rivals Belbroughton this Saturday.

Andrews said: “We have scraped through another game. It would be nice to win one comfortably but we are still delighted to get the result and move back to the top.

“We will have a look at mixing things up with our top order this week and getting the right combinations.”

Hagley seconds continued their good form and made it three wins in four against Redditch.

On a gloomy day, stand in skipper Rob Hancock won the toss and chose to bowl. Tight opening spells from Jack Baker and James Russell kept the opening pair for Redditch quiet but failed to take wickets - and they began to play shots as their confidence grew.

Tom Field (111) and Asif Muktar helped Redditch reach 170-0 without loss in 35 overs.

But the introduction of Andy Shaw (6-64) proved crucial as he picked up wickets and initiated a sudden collapse.

In the end only strong low order hitting helped Redditch reach 244-8 from their 50 overs.

Ben Wooldridge (25) and Hancock (10) put on 39 for Hagley’s first wicket but both went in consecutive overs.

From 73-3, Neil Hurst (77 not out) and Simon Burgess (65) put on 113 for the fourth wicket. When the latter was eventually dismissed, Shaw entered the fray to smash a quickfire 42 and see Hagley to the win.

Hagley thirds had their game conceded to them after their opponents failed to raise a team.