BEWDLEY returned to winning ways with a satisfying win at Pedmore in Worcestershire Division One.

Stand-in captain Jack Mills won the toss and bravely decided to bat, and Simon Mauger (44) and Paul Beard (31) were soon into their stride with a brisk opening partnership of 81.

Four wickets then fell quickly and it was left to Mike Harris (21) and Connor Franklin (28) to rebuild the innings.

Contributions from Tom Bingham (22) and Mills (27no) saw Bewdley to a competitive total on a pitch which offered the bowlers a little bit of encouragement.

Pedmore’s batting line-up is a very strong one on paper, but it has been misfiring of late, and the contrasting opening bowler pair of Andy Platt and Joe Lucas were soon among the wickets.

Lucas was very hostile, and aided by a remarkable slip catch from Mauger finished with 3-30.

Platt also found the pitch to his liking and he too was rewarded with three wickets. Pedmore were simply unable to put together any meaningful partnerships, and with Mills and Bingham making short work of the tail, they subsided meekly to a heavy defeat.