OLD Elizabethans returned from Aston Unity with a welcome five-wicket win although their pursuit of a low target was not without incident.

The hosts won the toss in the Birmingham League Division Two match and elected to bat first on a pitch that looked as if it would be bowler-friendly.

The innings got off to a disappointing start for Stuart Lockwood as he had opener Yahya (42) dropped off his first delivery.

In partnership with Warwickshire hopeful Tim Gruijters (20), the pair complied 60 before Yahya was run out by Lockwood.

Just six runs later, Gruijters became the first of Ollie Griffiths’ six victims when he was bowled by the left-armer.

The Aston Unity batsmen appeared to have no answer to Griffiths and the consistent Stuart Phillips (2-13).

They were blown away by Griffiths who, in the process of claiming 6-11 in 11 overs, bagged his 50th league victim of the campaign.

The home side subsided from 66-2 to 85 all out in just 12 overs and 49 minutes.

OEs’ reply got off to a stuttering start as Simon Macey fell cheaply to Gruijters (4-23).

They lost four more wickets cheaply to subside to 29-5 with the target of 86 a long way off.

But skipper Sean Cairney played a match-winning innings of 45 not out alongside Chris Pearman (10no).

Cairney struck six fours and three sixes in his 50-ball effort, taking the vistors past their target in 22 overs and 72 minutes, claiming maximum points in the process.

OEs visit Aston Manor on Saturday looking to build on their success to move well away from the relegation zone.

OEs seconds overcame the odds to beat Bridgnorth by four wickets at the Memorial Ground in Division One and improve their relegation fight.

As if playing with 10 men was not hard enough, two players picked up injuries during the first innings.

OEs won the toss and put Bridgnorth in to bat on a slow surface.

The visitors got off to a brisk start before opening bowlers Ryan Biggerstaff and Scott Butler (2-42) settled down.

The first wicket fell at 33 when Martins was caught behind off Biggerstaff.

Carson was then dismissed by a brilliant one-handed catch from Andy Stephens in the covers off Butler.

In the next over, Stephens took a return catch off his own bowling.

Martin Johnson (4-26) bowled tightly in tandem with Stephens (3-37) as Bridgnorth fell to 144 all out.

In reply, skipper Chris Dale and Jon Sprague put on 32 before the latter was undone.

Dale (27) and Mike Payne took the score to 50 before the captain gloved a sweep shot and was caught.

Payne and Graeme Norton (26) added 50 for the third wicket and Stephens (27) played in brisk fashion to take the score to 137.

Payne went for a season’s best 41, quickly followed by Johnson for a duck which left Butler and debutant James Hodgkins needing three runs from nine balls.

Hodgkins lifted his first ball for two and they then scrambled a winning single off the fourth ball of the final over.