DIVISION One First XI’s top five sides are now covered by just 22 points and the prospect is still for a barn-storming end to the season.

Having just lost to Redditch last week by a whisker, leaders Bewdley had another thrilling finish at their neighbours Stourport as they scored 234-9 in their overs, largely due to Rob Combes’ 95 but then with one ball remaining they took the home side’s final wicket at exactly the same score to earn a tie and stay top of the pile.

Cookley, conquerors of Hagley in another of last week’s upsets, were easy winners at long time leaders Worcester thanks to Dan Soley’s spell of 5-30 and they have gone jumped to second, just five behind Bewdley.

Worcester slipped to fourth, now 12 adrift of Hagley who trail Cookley by a solitary point after they won a close fought match at Droitwich.

Redditch beat Burghill, Feckenham beat Eastnor with a third wicket partnership in excess of 100 between Flynn Duggan and Josh Stacey and Pedmore won for the second week running beating Colwall by 76 runs.

No rest for the leaders as the first half closes next week, with Bewdley entertaining Worcester hoping to hold onto their slender lead and also that Worcester do not return to form after three defeats on the trot.

In Division Two First XIs, leaders Bredon kept up the pressure on the chasing duo but could only manage a very narrow four run victory at bottom side Harborne. They stay 12 in front of Evesham who made the long march to Wormelow and returned with the spoils, reducing the home side to 115 all out.

Chaddesley are third, still three behind Evesham as they saw off a determined challenge from Enville which included Greg Tomkins making 91. Belbroughton slipped up from their recent heady run, losing at Oldswinford, and the Old Vigornians beat Coombs Wood at Peopleton.

The final match was an interesting affair as George Leighton again scored a century for Bromyard at Lye in their 228-9 but the home side set off with a rush, averaging over ten runs per over, winning the match in 27 overs and dragging their opponents back towards the relegation dogfight.

Next week, Bredon host Enville and it is Evesham’s turn to play the bottom side Harborne while Chaddesley visit Lye.

In Division Three First XIs, Kempsey recovered from last week’s reversal at Avoncroft and although Sam O’Neill was absent, they easily saw off third placed Bartestree’s impressive 258 all out with 21 balls left, with their own 259-3 with a full thirteen overs in hand, thanks to a 174 partnership for the third wicket between Simon Dorrell who made 101 and Zak O’Neill who was unbeaten on 99 when the win came.

Himbleton easily beat Fiveways to stay 22 points back in second place and are now 29 ahead of Bartestree and fourth placed Netherton were unable to make any progress with no points from a heavy 9 wickets defeat, scoring just 65, at home to Astwood Bank thirds.

Early strugglers Malvern, climbed above Avoncroft into 5th after they beat them thanks to Tom Hale’s 110 and Alvechurch have also closed up in seventh, one point in front of Astwood Bank, after Mike Reuben’s spell of 6-21 from six overs defeated Rushwick.

The final match was a relegation battle in which Himley prevailed over Martley bouncing back from last week’s hammering at Rushwick who they now trail by 21 with Martley and Fiveways Old Edwardians now jointly 11 ahead of Martley.

Next up the Himbleton v Kempsey epic this division has been waiting for and Bartestree will hope to close the gap on one of them with a victory against Malvern.