BEWDLEY are making heavy weather of their attempt to be promoted to Division One of the Worcestershire County League, and this latest setback at the hands of Oldswinford leaves them only eight points clear in second place with two games to play.

Bewdley’s bowling, though weaker than usual on paper, was quite satisfactory but the same cannot be said of the batting.

Oldswinford were restricted to an achievable 201.

Andy Platt showed excellent control, his ten overs at the start of the innings going for a mere 16 runs, but it was Bewdley’s trio of spinners who did the damage.

Michael Stead (2-32), Simon Mauger (3-50), and Jack Mills (4-32) all recorded excellent figures.

But Bewdley’s reply was disappointing.

Stead anchored the innings with a fine 56, and Luke Groves (23) and Gareth Lewis (28) both chipped in but they lost wickets at regular intervals and finished well short.

Bewdley entertain Rushwick at home on Saturday.

l In Division Three, Stourport closed in on automatic promotion with a nine-wicket win over Tenbury, Lee Waldron taking five wickets as Tenbury were kept to 83-8.

Spencer Colley (50) and Craig Siwicki (20) then guided Stourport to 85-1. They go to Alvechurch on Saturday (12.30pm start).