THE rain returned to help some and hindered others in Division One of the Worcestershire County League.

Leaders Bewdley dismissed visitors Feckenham well inside the fifty over mark thanks to Captain Jack Mills (5-16) and Grant Morris (4-18) which gave them just enough time to seal a victory on faster scoring rate which has now opened up a gap of sixteen points to second placed Stourport, whose match against Worcester Nomads at Whitegates Farm was abandoned at the half way stage.

Third and fourth placed teams Evesham and Chaddesley Corbett, both playing further north of the county at Pedmore and Cookley respectively where the rain arrived approximately an hour and a half later, were both able to win on faster scoring rates which helped both teams close the gap on second placed Stourport.

Hagley were another team to prosper as they posted an excellent first innings total of 280-4 against fifth placed Worcester thanks to an undefeated 113 from opener Dan Giles and a quick-fire half century from Lee Nightingale which led to a win on faster scoring rate and now means that there are just three points between the two teams in fifth and sixth place.

The other match in the division between Burghill and Colwall was abandoned with Colwall well placed to win.

Next week's return to the win/lose/draw format, where 24 points are on offer for a win, will make it very interesting for the remainder of the season as there are at least eight teams in the division with a competitive chance to make the top five and at least four who will still believe they can take the title.

In Division Two it was a similar story as two matches failed to reach a conclusion because of the weather. Again, it was the matches in the south of the region that were most affected as games at Bartestree (against Enville) and Wormelow (against fourth placed Bromyard) were both abandoned at the half way stage.

In the four matches that did reach conclusion, third placed Belbroughton came unstuck as Droitwich Spa leapfrogged Bredon into fifth place after winning by four runs on faster scoring rate at Hackmans Gate Lane which in turn helped the top two Coombs Wood and Oldswinford to pull clear as both returned victories, Coombs Wood by eight wickets against Bredon thanks to a fine all round performance from the ever youthful Nathan Round and Oldswinford beat Himbleton by ffifty six runs at Albemarle Road.

In the other match played Old Vigornians beat Kempsey by eight wickets.

In Division Three, three matches were eventually abandoned due to the weather after starting. Runaway leaders Lye posted a huge first innings 365-5 at the Ramblers Ground Malvern only to be frustrated by the rain at the interval. Third placed Rushwick also saw their match against Hanley Castle & Upton curtailed when they were in a good position to push for victory with forty overs of the second innings remaining and fourth placed Harborne will also be ruing the rain after posting 289 in the first innings their match was abandoned with Martley on 97-3 in the second innings.

In the matches that were played Bromsgrove recorded a good six wicket win at second placed Netherton, Five Ways beat Alvechurch and Hopwood by three wickets to continue their climb up the table and Avoncroft won a tight game on faster scoring rate against Eastnor who would have left feeling aggrieved.

In Division Four, two matches failed to reach their conclusion due to the rain. League leaders Halesowen looked like they were under pressure at third placed Astwood Bank as they were 51-3 chasing Astwood Banks first innings 250-6 (Devlin Jacobs 103) when the rain forced an early finish and Alveley will be ruing the rains arrival as 95 from Chris Parkes and 75 not out from Luke Brant had helped them post 330 in the first innings before the rain arrived with Stourport on 45-4.

Elsewhere, Romsley took full advantage of the Astwood Bank/Halesowen abandonment as they moved back in to second place just twelve points behind following a five wicket victory against West Malvern who dropped to sixth.

Kidderminster moved back into fourth after beating Tenbury Wells by eight wickets, Claverley went fifth as they kept up with the pace by beating Hallow Taverners also by eight wickets thanks to an undefeated 78 from Ryan Mills and finally Stourbridge beat Himley on a faster scoring rate to remain in mid division.