In the latest instalment of what is proving to be a topsy-turvy season in WCL Division 1, the 1sts chalked up a five-wicket win at basement side, Coombs Wood - a result that moves Spa up to fifth, just 18 points behind league leaders Ombersley.

After Sam Smith and debutant Xavier Thuriappah made early inroads to leave the home side 32-2, Spa's trio of slow bowlers then whirled into action as they delivered 33.3 overs for an aggregate haul of 8-82.

Bowling in tandem, Martyn Davies and Max Young stifled the hosts' prospects and even assisted in wickets for each other - the
latter removing Syed for 23 caught at slip by Davies then returning the favour as he pouched overseas Keygan Arnold off the left-armer.

And there was no let up for Wood from their spin suffering as when Young was withdrawn from the attack, Akhtar Iqbal's introduction quickly soon resulted in two wickets of his own as Wood were dismissed for 118. For the record, Davies took 3-25 off 15, Young 3-44 off 11.3 and Iqbal 2-13 off seven.

Davies and Harry Butler started up the reply with an opening stand of 39 with the latter of two more fluent as he scored 29.

The home side captured five wickets but they couldn't dislodge Young,. His 48-ball 37 included a quartet of fours and two sixes as the visitors eased past their target after 27 overs.