n Birmingham Premier Lge

CARELESS batting cost Redditch dearly at the weekend as the Bromsgrove Road side crashed to their third defeat in four games.

And although the miserable run of form has seen them slump away from the leading pack, skipper Dan Protherough believes a win against Division Three visitors Beacon on Saturday will see them back in contention for the two promotion places.

Redditch were just eight points adrift of league leaders Evesham at the start of June but a torrid month, culminating in last weekend's mauling at the hands of Coleshill, has seen them drop down the table.

"We are 16 points off second place but we are also 16 points off relegation," Protherough admitted.

"We have had a couple of bad weeks and Saturday's was a very, very poor performance.

"We batted carelessly and when you do that against a side bowling well, then you pay the price."

Redditch opener Simon Allison (41) was the only player to reach double figures and his tally made up more than half of his side's total.

In reply, the home side needed just 17 overs to ease their way to 73-2.

"We have not played well away from home all season but our form at home has been good. A positive result on Saturday would boost morale and lack of confidence has been as much to blame as anything.

"If we get a result on Saturday, we can look back at what has been a relatively good half to the season.

"I have every confidence in the players - we have the nucleus of a good side here at Redditch."

The excitement of Twenty20 cricket comes to Redditch next week when the Bromsgrove Road side take on neighbours Studley.

The sides will be competing for a trophy, sponsored by Boxfast Print and Packaging, with the first game pencilled in for Wednesday, July 13.

The action starts at 6.15pm and supporters will also be able to enjoy a barbecue.

The sides will meet again at Studley on Thursday, July 21.

And the village side will also be in Twenty20 action this week when they take on Droitwich in the area final of the Sportswise 20 competition.