REDDITCH Cricket Club put in a better performance but their losing run continued on a good wicket at Highway.

Redditch captain Dan Protherough was upbeat although his team is still rock bottom of the Birmingham League Division Three after the six-wicket defeat on the weekend.

"We showed some good signs," said Protherough. "We grafted hard and it wasn't like the week before when we were playing irresponsible shots."

On a good batting pitch, Redditch posted 175 all out after being 78-6 thanks mainly to Adam Gailey's solid innings of 42.

But along the way Gailey had good support from Nev Mason 17, John Lostitch 21, Guy Muspratt 32 and Simon Allison 22.

Protherough said: "We had some iffy decisions on lbws which cost us badly but you have to take it on the chin.

"I think we were competitive enough, we just needed to get a few more runs on the board."

Highway, with the experienced Dean Marsh knocking 78 not out, eased to victory in 52 overs despite a keen Redditch attack.

Nev Mason, returning to his old club, took 2-54 and there was a wicket each for John Lostitch and Richard Stokes.

Opener Protherough, who is not happy with his current form, added: "We need to get a result this weekend - we've got to start getting runs in the bag.

"I started well in the friendly matches but since then I just haven't got a run in the league."