BEWDLEY suffered their first defeat of the season in Worcestershire Division Two against Feckenham.

Chasing 270 to win, Bewdley recovered from 40-3 to 185-4, and a little later at 236-5 victory seemed close at hand.

But the lower order failed miserably, with an unnecessary run-out and some Injudicious shots and in the end Bewdley were well beaten by a combative Feckenham side, though only by 18 runs.

Bewdley’s seemingly impregnable position was built on another splendid display from Rob Combes whose 94 took him past 500 runs for the season, and Gareth Lewis’s 78 made at a run a ball.

These two added 145, and Connor Franklin’s brisk 32 took Bewdley so close to their target before the disappointing collapse.

Earlier, Bewdley’s bowling and fielding had not been of the normal standard, though Jack Mills took four good wickets.

Results elsewhere mean this loss is not as damaging to Bewdley’s promotion prospects as it might have been.

They remain in second place, 32 points clear of the chasing pack.

Bewdley tackle Lye at home on Saturday (1pm start).

The seconds gained 20 points on Saturday with a comfortable five wicket win over Evesham.

Bewdley skipper Sam Beasley, won the toss and elected to bowl.

The Bewdley attack did not let him down as they all bowled excellently to plan and bowled out Evesham for exactly 200.

Grant Morris bowled intelligently and out thought a number of batsmen on the way to recording his first ever five wicket haul, ending with 6-76.

In reply, Bewdley lost Drake early and may have panicked.

Debutant Mike Stead ensured this was not the case as he guided Bewdley to victory with 13 overs to spare and was unbeaten for an exquisite 111 which included runs all around the ground.

This is an important 20 points and creates a much-needed gap to the relegation places.