BEWDLEY batsmen rediscovered their collective form in an encouraging victory at Hagley in Worcestershire Division One.

With rain threatening though never actually arriving, the Wyre Forest side Bewdley asked the hosts to bat.

Joe Lucas got The Wyre Forest side Bewdley off to a fine start by bowling ex-Bewdley favourite Michael Stead for four, and followed up with another wicket in a hostile opening spell.

Joe Lennon then scored 112 runs to anchor the Hagley innings, with strong support coming in particular from supported by several partners, particularly Alex Millard's with a rapid quickfire 63 not out.

Bewdley’s bowlers toiled manfully, with Jack Mills and Tom Bingham taking wickets, and Andy Platt being the most economical. Hagley closed on 272-6, a daunting target, but not an impossible one on a good pitch with some temptingly short boundaries.

Paul Beard and Nick Wilkinson and Paul Beard got Bewdley off to a dream start with a partnership of 91.

Beard (60) was very near to his best and Wilkinson (26) gave him useful support.

Simon Mauger kept up the momentum with a run-a-ball 25, and Rob Combes – with a breathtaking 51 – injected even more urgency. There was still work to be done when Mike Harris joined Gareth Lewis, but Bewdley continued to be up with the rate, and when Lewis fell for 38, Harris (34 not out) and Bingham saw Bewdley home with seven balls to spare.

This was a rare example of every batsman making a significant contribution, and Bewdley host high-flying Colwall on Saturday with renewed confidence after this fine team performance.