RELEGATION-battling Bewdley slipped to two places and as many off points off the bottom places in the Worcestershire County League Division One after a crushing 40 run loss to basement boys Oldswinford.

Bewdley’s bad run continued and rarely can a team have been so comprehensively outplayed.

Batsmen and bowlers alike under-performed, though the fielding held up well in the face of Oldswinford’s onslaught.

The visitors got off to an excellent start, and reached 199-1 before wickets began to fall Nevertheless a total of 284-6 was a formidable one.

Martyn Carr, James Marsh and Lewis Williams were the pick of the bowlers, but in truth that is not saying much.

Bewdley needed a good start, and with Simon Mauger run out in the first over without facing a ball this is precisely what they didn’t get.

Wickets fell regularly, though Robert Combes again batted well for 53.

Bewdley are now flirting with the relegation zone, and will need a substantial improvement on this dreadful performance when they host Droitwich on Saturday.

The seconds enjoyed a 39 run Coombs Wood.

Bewdley posted 292-6 with Matt Cowdery (71), Gareth Lewis (57) and James Rawlings (56) posting good scores.

Despite 106 not out by Mark Bateman, Bewdley kept their opponents to 253-9.