DROITWICH moved up to second place in Division One of the Worcestershire County League following a 58-run victory over Burghill & Tillington.
Having been inserted on a green wicket, brothers Max and Jake Young rode their luck in the early exchanges before building a superb century opening stand.
Their departures in quick succession for 63 and 38 respectively saw Droitwich slip to 119-4, but Paul Bryan and Gary Cartwright steadied the ship with a fifth-wicket partnership of 60 as the visitors eventually closed on 225-8.
Burghill’s reply got off to a rapid start as they rattled up 50 in only the seventh over. Turning point of the game came when leg-spinner Jake Young captured the crucial wicket of Edward Symonds, which provoked a series of irresponsible shots from the home batsmen as they slumped to 121-5 against the guile of Young and fellow spinner Martyn Davies.
With the ball a little older, Phil Thomas then bagged three wickets and off-spinner Gary Cartwright two as Spa secured victory with wicket-keeper Jay Da Costa poaching five victims on his return from holiday.
Another man proving to be suitably rejuvenated from a vacation was Martin Keen, whose unbeaten 71 was vital in the Seconds four-wicket win
Also facing Burghill, the hosts proved gallant opponents as they posted 205-9 and then reduced Spa to 125-5. But Keen, who was fresh from a Portuguese break, and captain Karl Goddard shared a vital sixth-wicket stand to help the home side maintain their promotion push.
Elsewhere, Tom Gregory was the latest Droitwich batsman to notch a century as the Thirds amassed 321-4 declared against Five Ways Old Edwardians.
The opener hit 117 and was well supported by the in-form Ash Walton (59) and Dave Purchase (86).
Agonisingly Spa were deprived victory by a last-wicket pairing and had to settle for the winning draw, which leaves them level at the top of the table with Coombs Wood where they travel on Saturday for what could be a title decider.