REDDITCH'S delight at climbing to an unexpected third in Division Two West of the Birmingham League was quickly tempered by defeat to Bridgnorth at the weekend.

Skipper Nev Mason has already said the club intends to bring on promising youngsters this year and can therefore expect a second successive year outside the title race.

The Bromsgrove Road captain has told the Advertiser it will be two years before the club will see the benefits of its youth policy and has said he will stick to his principles even if Redditch get sucked into the bottom half of the table - and Division Three cricket next season.

Mason's men had bucked the odds by hanging on the coattails of the leaders last week but Bridgnorth put paid to any high hopes.

Redditch were comprehensively defeated on a day which saw all five sides lose.

The home team took first innings and posted 230-7 off their 55 overs with Tim Piper using the new ball well taking 2-34 and Dan Frederich 4-72.

In reply Redditch were never in a position to challenge for victory and although several players made double figures, no player could play a major innings, leaving Redditch dismissed for a very disappointing 117 in 44.4 overs with a very poor performance.

The result sees the town side drop to fifth, well adrift of the title pace and only 13 points clear of the dividing line into next season's Division Three.

Redditch host Penn on Saturday (1pm start).