REDDITCH captain Nev Mason claims his side are still in the hunt for third place despite a defeat at Stourbridge at the weekend.

The visitors, who were still missing hamstring victim Chris Gibson, failed to build on a promising start as they chased a 235 target but slipped to their third defeat of the season.

But the Bromsgrove Road skipper remained upbeat ahead of the visit of title-hopefuls Smethwick on Saturday (1pm start).

Mason's men remain fifth after the weekend and saw sixth placed Stourbridge cut the gap on them by 16 points to 13.

Redditch were brought back to earth with a disappointing defeat against Stourbridge who won by 79 runs.

Ben Davis, (79), and Steve Juckes, (29), put on 104 for the fifth wicket then poor batting led to the innings falling away to 156 all out, losing the last five wickets for seven runs.

Stourbridge, taking first innings, posted 235-8 off their 55 overs with John Lostitch 3-72 and two wickets each for Richard Young and Ben Davis and one for Nev Mason.

Smethwick and leaders Wroxeter and Uppington continued their championship tussle with expected wins to maintain a 52 point gap on third placed Shifnal, who also won but have had six points deducted after infringing results procedure.

With Redditch limited to just four points, fourth placed Fordhouses were unable to take advantage as they went down by six wickets to an impressive looking Smethwick but Mason insisted he was looking forward to Saturday's demanding fixture.

Redditch are waiting on the fitness of opener Gibson.