STOURPORT earned local bragging rights and enhanced their own slim title hopes in Worcestershire Division One to increase Bewdley’s relegation fears on Saturday.

Bewdley batted first, and were given hope by an attractive partnership for the second wicket between Adam Groves (41) and Paul Beard (27).

Unfortunately neither these two, nor the rest of Bewdley’s batsmen, were able to make the major score which was needed.

Bewdley didn’t help themselves with their two in-form batsmen, Rob Combes and Charlie Eastoe, both being needlessly run out, though Combes did contribute a fluent 50.

Rob Crane also batted enterprisingly with a useful 28 but Bewdley’s total of 212 never felt enough.

There were two wickets each for Michael Pratt, Matt Delo and Craig Siwicki.

An innings of 61 from Kevin Renecke, 50 from Pratt, and 44 not out from Ryan Derrick, saw Stourport home with some comfort.

Andy Platt was Bewdley’s best bowler with 3-29 from 10 economical overs.

Stourport are currently in third place, 63 points behind leaders Worcester Nomads, while Bewdley have a 16-point lead over second-from-bottom Belbroughton.

Stourport are at home to Oldswinford & Stour Social on Saturday, while Bewdley face the table-toppers (both teams 1pm start).