The famous saying that catches win matches' had a ring of truth for Stourbridge firsts after they picked up a victory away at Astwood Bank.

Keith Jones'men were put into bat by opposite number Dave Sewell.

Openers Oli Hill and Richard Bradley were fortunate to survive. Bradley was dropped in the fourth over and Hill when the score was just 19.

Having being dropped off the bowling of Dennis Freeman, Hill drove the pace man for two magnificent boundaries showing his true talent. Not letting the early scares affect them, the openers put on 52 for the first wicket. Hill continued to hit the ball with consummate ease but then gave his wicket away for 41.

Josh Banks then came in and played an anchor role on a slow pitch that needed application and concentration.

He along with Sam Cheshire took the score to 92 at the half way stage. Cheshire was caught behind for 42 straight after the drinks break.

Stourbridge continued to consolidate the score through a fifth-wicket partnership of 70 between Banks and Jordan Brooks. Looking to accelerate in the final ten overs, Brooks was out for 32 and Banks followed for 42. Stourbridge had put on 231 runs in the 50 overs with the help of the lower order batsmen.

With Oli Hill not able to bowl, Astwood Bank made most of the weakened Stourbridge opening attack reaching 28, off the first seven overs .

James Musk struck first clean bowling opener Sam Thomas.

A battle then emerged between Hamzar Nadeem and Sewell, who was looking to score boundaries off every delivery. The tactic worked in Stourbridge's favour as Nadeem bowled Sewell for six.

The home side were six down at the half way stage needing 135 runs to win.

With runs drying up, the hosts went on the defensive with the game appearing to be drifting towards a draw.

Stourbridge skipper Keith Jones had other ideas and an inspired bowling change had the desired effect.

The captain brought Banks on to bowl some off-spin and with his second delivery he tempeted Aleander into a square cut which was caught superbly by Kalpesh Patel.

Nadeem and Musk took a wicket apiece in the last 10 overs to seal a 24 point victory, which keeps them top of Worcester Crusader League Division One.

Meanwhile, the seconds picked up a winning draw at home to Bewdley.

Skipper Mikesh Patel chose to bat first and his team posted a score of 261 with Alex Bingham top scoring with a rapid 67.

The hosts came close to picking up the win but were unable to break a resiliant 10th wicket stand by the visitors The thirds picked up a comprehensive 142-run win over Stourbridge Social.

Batting first, Stourbridge made 255 with Zaman Malik (69) and Junaed Afzal ( 67) having a field day.

In reply Social were dismissed for 113.

The fourhs lost to Stourbridge Social.

Enville.

Enville firsts visit to table topping Belbroughton was not a happy one as they suffered a seven-wicket defeat.

The visitors were asked to bat first and made solid progress from the outset.

The top four all made good starts with James Willis continuing his good form with a hard hitting 79 to see them close on 244 for 7.

In reply the hosts reached the total with 10 balls to spare.

Enville (5 pts) vs Eastnor (24 pts) The seconds also suffered defeat at home to Eastnor.

The visitors won the toss and decided to bat first and posted 244.

Paul Moran (3-78) was the pick of the bowlers with Richard Spratley (2-57) and Dan Watson (2-41 also bowling well.

Enville chased well but never had the partnerships to really challenge the big score.

Jack Taylor (39) top scored for Enville, who were eventually dismissed for 138.

It was clean sweep of defeats for the club on Saturday as the thirds were beaten in their game at Helwell.

The hosts elected to bat and Enville's young attack stuck to their task well to dismiss them for 223.

Alex Clift took 3 for 49 and was well backed up by Ryan Moore (2-35) and Sam Hogan (2-24). In reply Enville were never in the chase as they were bowled out for 88.

To conclude a dismal weekend Enville were beaten by Quatt in the group final of the Village Knockout.

Quatt were asked to bat and made a rapid start.

Good bowling and fielding restricted the home side in the middle overs although they still finished their 40 overs with an imposing total of 246 for 4.

Enville lost regular wickets in their reply and did not pose a serious threat of reaching the total. Rob Miller (39) continued his solid season, but the highlight was Chris Bate who finished stranded on 49 not out as Enville were bowled out in the last over for 179.

This Saturday, the firsts travel to Wormelow whilst the second teams meet at Enville Hall. The third team play at Amblecote and Wollaston.

Hagley.

In Division Three, Hagley entertained Old Elizabethans and gained a well-deserved victory.

The visitors won the toss and chose to bowl with an impressive opening spell from Ed Ford (6-48) taking two early wickets leaving Hagley on 18-2 which meant skipper Joe Lennon (135) joining Ian Watt (78). Their partnership of 202 formed the majority of the innings with Lennon in particular looking in superb form, but Ford returned to trigger a middle order collapse when Hagley were looking for late runs.

Tom Jordan (24 not out) with some late hitting allowed Hagley to post 293-8 from 50 overs.

Old Elizabethans set about their task of chasing their runs down with Howard Nicholls (85) demonstrating superb hitting at the top of the order. But wickets began to fall regularly with Jez Trinham (3-67) and John Porter (3-30) doing the majority of the damage as Old Elizabethans were bowled out for 238.

They travel to Rushwick on Saturday.

A delighted Lennon said: "It was an impressive display and we are showing signs of what we can do and hope this run continues so we can push on for promotion which is our main target this year."

The seconds were also victorious in their away game at Malvern.

The hosts won the toss and batted first, but were dismissed for 184.

Pick of the bowlers was Jimmy Hill who claimed 4-44.

James Trinham (54) was positive from the start and allowed Hagley to ease to victory with Dave Morgan (48 not out) and Andy Shaw (47 not out) completing the job as Hagley won inside 44 overs.

Skipper Neil Allport said: "Another good win as we kept things tight which created pressure for wickets and our top four knocked off the runs with ease, hopefully another push for promotion to Division One this year."

Amblecote and Wollaston.

The firsts remain top of Division Four North following their comprehensive eight-wicket win at home to Halesowen.

The hosts lost the toss and were asked to field but were still able to dismiss their visitors for 150.

After tea, the in form A & W openers went at the target aggressively until two quick wickets fell and the pace was taken off the ball. The hosts batted with patience and eventually churned out the required runs. Opener Yassar Waseem carried his bat for a gutsy 39 not out and James Winders proved his worth at number four with an unbeaten 60.

The seconds travelled in the opposite direction to Halesowen and after being put into bat smashed their way to 314-3 Mark Spooner scored a mammoth 130 and Dan Morrissey hit an excellent 102 not out.

The visitors were unable to make big inroads into the opposition batting line up but still left with a winning draw after restricting them to 269-5.

The thirds entertained Chaddesley Corbett and scored 194 batting first with Phil Bastock top scoring with 58 not out.

The hosts then bowled the visitors out for 142 with Ed Taplin claiming his third five-wicket haul of the season.