HAGLEY picked up valuable points in their relegation fight with a winning draw away at Redditch.

Stand-in skipper Joe Lennon chose to bat first and then scored 32 as he and Simon James (13) put on 48 for the first wicket.

James and Lennon were both dismissed by Perry Derrick (2-74) and Darren Andrews (15) was Waqas Ali’s (3-56) first victim as Hagley fell to 75-3.

This brought Amjad Ali (63) and James Trinham (29) together and they put on 78 for the fourth wicket in what proved to be a crucial stand.

Both were run out looking for late runs and further wickets fell before some late big hitting from John Porter (37 not out) helped Hagley reach 247-8 from their 50 overs.

Despite Craig Bray’s early breakthrough, Dan Protherough (57) and Russell Southwick (59) appeared to have Redditch well on track as they reached 162-2.

But Amjad Ali removed both in quick succession and Bray also struck twice to send the momentum the visitors way.

James Bevan (23) and Chris Weaver (12 not out) saw Redditch to the close as they finished on 214-6 from their 50 overs.

The result moved Hagley out of the relegation zone and into ninth ahead of this Saturday’s home game with Bromyard.

Hagley seconds remain top of the second XI Division One following a winning draw at home to Belbroughton.

The hosts were asked to bat first but soon found themselves in trouble as Andy Mackenzie (4-32) tore through the top order to leave them reeling at 64-4.

But Rob Hancock (81) and Neil Hurst (50) began the fightback with a partnership of 88 and some late hitting from Steve Plant (30 not out) helped Hagley to a total of 208-9 from their 50 overs.

Belbroughton lost early wickets as 14-year-old Hagley debutant Jamie Keen took a fine catch off James Russell and was then involved in a run out.

A rain delay with the visitors 26-3 saw their innings reduced to 38 overs and although Neil Hurst (3-23) picked up useful wickets, the hosts simply ran out of time as Belbroughton closed on 102-7.

Skipper Andy Shaw said: “We started this game very poorly with some lose shots from the top order but Rob and Neil did fantastic again and it was a shame the rain came as we would have gone on to win the game.”

Hagley travel to Alvechurch & Hopwood next week.