OLD Elizabethans enjoyed an impressive 68-run victory over Birmingham League Division Two table-toppers Dorridge at the Memorial Ground.

The visitors won the toss and invited the home side to bat first on a pitch that looked certain to provide some assistance for the opening bowlers.

Simon Macey (20) and Jamie Boyle (17) compiled a 40-run partnership as they set about blunting the visitors' attack.

When Boyle fell to Seal, Macey was joined by overseas player Sam McNally (48) and the pair had added only six when Macey holed out to Wing in the deep.

Andy Hemming (35) then teamed up with the Australian and, in the next 25 overs, the pair achieved an excellent century partnership.

It saw the home side to a potentially strong position at 146-3 with 18 overs remaining.

However, the departure of Hemming saw three wickets fall without the addition of a single run.

The lower-order batsmen ensured a respectable total was reached just one ball short of the 55 overs available.

Matt Sprague (33) led the way, well supported by skipper Sean Cairney (11), Ollie Griffiths (12 not out) and Andy Stephens (10).

The total of 229 looked to be a reasonable challenge if the north Worcester side's attack bowled well. Thornley (20) and Jamiael (15) got the reply off to a brisk start with 29 on the board in the fifth over.

However, Sprague (3-28) bowled Thornley and Jamiael followed shortly afterwards, the victim of a sharp stumping by Cairney off the bowling of Griffiths (2-43).

Dorridge skipper Abul Hafeez looked set to be there at the close with a patient, undefeated 53 off 144 balls.

Macey pulled off a great catch to remove the dangerous Ball on 20 and the OEs' attack kept making inroads.

Stuart Phillips (3-26) trapped Mohammed lbw and Stephens (2-23) joined the party with two quick wickets leaving the visitors on 133-8.

However, with Hafeez still at the crease and the ninth wicket adding 25, it was still possible that Dorridge could hold out for a losing draw.

When Sprague removed the last batsman, there was great celebrations as the league leaders had been toppled by 68 runs and Old Elizabethans climbed up to fourth spot.

n Despite a brilliant century by James Bull, the second XI were unable to defeat Whitchurch.

On a good batting surface, the home side dug in late on to play out a tame draw in fading light.

OEs slipped to second spot as rivals Bromsgrove won but the two teams meet on Saturday in a vital top-of-the-table encounter.

The visitors won the toss and took first knock on a dry surface. They suffered an early setback when Steve Burgoyne fell in the second over.

This was compounded when Chris Pearman was struck in the face attempting to pull a ball and was forced to leave the field with the score on 15.

Youngsters Dan Fitzgibbon (21) and the in-form Bull then added 73 in a fine response.

Following the run-out of Fitzgibbon, Pearman returned but only added a single to his earlier score of nine.

Chris Dale joined Bull and the pair added 55 for the fifth wicket.

Bull (103) reached his second century of the season and faced just 126 balls, smashing eight fours and seven sixes.

Dale added a further 30 with Sam Schofield (25) before departing for 45 from 38 balls.

The visitors smashed 100 runs from the final 10 overs as they raced to 240-7.

In reply, Ed Smith took 2-45 and Schofield 2-21 but Whitchurch held out on 163-6.

n Ombersley defeated Wombourne by seven wickets in Division Three.

Former Worcestershire player Duncan Catterall scored 44no and claimed 4-31.

Simon Mason added 59 with the bat.