HAGLEY CC moved off the foot of Worcestershire League Division One after an enthralling tie at Droitwich.

Batting first, the visitors lost Joe Lennon (3) early to Karl Goddard (1-20) before Darren Andrews (27) and Amjad Ali (34) repaired the damage.

But wickets fell regularly as Martyn Davies (6-62) proved difficult to play.

Skipper Rus Andrews (36) top-scored and was supported by Paul Morgan (22) and Jamie Perks (24) but no batsman managed to go on and make a big score as Hagley were dismissed for 171.

The home side’s reply was moving along comfortably until the opening partnership of 61 was broken, when Darren Andrews ran out Davies.

Spinners Zahid Shah (5-60) and Bernard Erasmus (1-38) kept the rate down and picked up useful wickets as Droitwich began to falter.

With the hosts on 170-9 going into the final over, Craig Bray (1-33) bowled a wide with the second ball to put the scores level but then dismissed Goddard for a duck to seal the tie.

Hagley now require two points to seal safety and entertain Worcester Nomads on Saturday.

The seconds remain top of Division One despite a six-wicket home defeat to their Droitwich counterparts.

Hagley batted first and were in early trouble as Calvin Van Vuuren (4-67) picked up wickets for the visitors.

Simon James (76) proved the mainstay of the innings and found support from Neil Hurst (21) and then Steve Plant (22). However, James and Plant were both dismissed and Hagley finished on 177-9 from their 50 overs.

Raj Nandra (2-33) picked up early wickets as the hosts looked to make early inroads.

But James Hancher (51) and George Hibell (70) took the game away from Hagley with a fine partnership before Alex Kolb’s unbeaten 35 saw Droitwich home.

Hagley travel to title rivals Worcester Nomads next week.