BEWDLEY ended their recent slump with a convincing and almost routine win over fellow Division One side Colwall.

Unexpectedly asked to bat first, Bewdley got off to a good start at Lower Park through Nick Wilkinson and Mike Harris who put on 64 for the first wicket. Harris looked in particularly good form with a fluent 52.

The main contributor was again Rob Combes with a pugnacious 87 and Gareth Lewis (34) supported him well in a stand of 113.

For the away side, Jon Gooch (3-42) was the pick of the bowlers, but Bewdley's total of 252-5 felt enough and so it proved.

Nearly all of the Colwall batsmen made a start, but apart from Joe Blight (56), none of them managed to get the runs going beyond 20.

Joe Smith bowled a good ten over spell of probing off spin and deserved more than one wicket, and Jack Mills, although not at his best, recorded figures of 4-50.

But it was Josh Freestone (4-34) who did most of the damage in a hostile and accurate spell as Bewdley skittled Colwall out for 205 to claim the 47 run win.

The win was vital in Bewdley’s season as the side, which was going great guns at the start of the season, had not picked up a victory since beating Pedmore in early June.

The result puts them back into Worcestershire County League contention, with only 17 points separating them and leaders Worcester.

Bewdley visit second from bottom Eastnor on Saturday (1pm start).