STOURBRIDGE Social extended their lead at the top of Division Four with a derby win at Amblecote and Wollaston.
In a match reduced to 46 overs, Social lost the toss and were sent into bat. Openers Ian Hatton and Simon Fisher put on a good partnership of 60 on a tricky track against disciplined bowling.
A speedy 79 from in form Vaqas Ahmed and contributions from Sakib Ali and Paul Clarke saw the run rate accelerate before a final ten over slog from Ikram Mussadaq (44) got SSCC to a total of 254-7.
Social then made a perfect start to the hosts reply with a wicket with the second ball of the innings.
Tight bowling from Ahmed, Hatton and Lance Mellor meant Amblecote could not build any momentum and at 110-5 the visitors were in a very strong position.
However, a defiant 49 from Carl Bingham prevented them from gaining the outright win as Amblecote finished on 180-9. Nevertheless, Social still took 18 points as the hosts had failed to meet the losing draw and extended their lead at the top to ten points.
They visit Avoncroft this weekend.
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