OLD Hill have climbed up to second spot in Birmingham League Division One after picking up maximum 24 points thanks to a 74-run success over Harborne in front of another bumper Haden Hill crowd.

However, skipper Danny Cox was far from happy with his side’s performance, especially as they were bowled out in the 49th of their 55 overs for 252 runs, which enabled Harborne to claim an extra five overs back in return.

Cox claimed: “Apart from Mo Patel and Hamza Ahmed, the rest of us didn’t bat so well and it could have backfired on us because we gave Harborne plenty of time to get the required runs.”

Patel held Old Hill’s batting together with a tremendous 131, while Ahmed kept him company when adding a further 49.

Thankfully, Old Hill’s bowling attack was firing on all cylinders and removed Harborne for 178 with 10 overs to spare.

Strike bowler Billyjo Cox gave nothing away by taking one for 16 off 11 overs and built pressure on Harborne’s batsmen before Nigel Davenport, with four for 30, and Zahid Katiat, who took three for 52, picked up the remaining the wickets.

Danny Cox revealed: “I brought Zahid into the side simply because he’d bowled so well in the nets while we were training on Thursday night.

"Although he went for a few runs, he picked up wickets in the process.”

Their fourth league success of the season came following last Wednesday’s Birmingham and District Twenty20 Challenge Cup win over Himley.

Old Hill will now need to be at their best this Saturday when they go travel to Walsall for a top-of-the-table crush clash (noon start).

Old Hill are currently providing cricket coaching for youngsters aged six to 17 at Haden Hill.

Sessions are being held every Friday night at 6pm and will run until September. Children will also be given the opportunity to play competitively, as well as honing their batting, bowling and fielding skills thanks to ECB qualified coaches.

To register an interest and confirm a place, please e-mail ohccyouth@gmail.com.

A bar and food is also available for visitors each week.