BEWDLEY CC kept their title hopes alive in the Worcestershire Crusader League Division Two by grabbing a winning draw off promotion rivals Coombs Wood on Saturday.

The draw ensured Bewdley moved up one place to fourth in the table and left them 42 points behind leaders Colwall.

Asked to bat first Bewdley once again lost early wickets and soon found themselves 45-3, before veterans Simon Smith (39) and Gareth Lewis (37) steadied the ship.

It was left to Robert Combes to hold the innings together. Well supported by Martyn Carr (20), Combes played an innings of real substance and was ninth out for 50, before a late flourish of runs from Pete Arnold helped guide Bewdley to 214 all out.

Bewdley's bowlers got off to a good start with a fiery opening spell from Navalesh Naidoo (3-52), who dismissed Coombs Wood's dangerman Neeraj Chawla in the first over.

Carr and Combes bowled useful spells, while Jack Mills (3-49) also proved to be effective as Coombs Wood were kept to 186-6.

Bewdley's second team suffered a losing draw at the hands of Stourbridge.

Bowling first, Bewdley set off well with Tom Baylis (1-45) claiming the early scalp of Steve Game (5).

Dave Jones' marathon 20-over bowling spell saw him take 5-90, while Mark Hudson took 2-83.

However, Stourbridge batted solidly throughout with Al Bingham (67) and Steve Manton (43) guiding them to 261-8.

Bewdley made 209-9 in reply, with tail-enders Cyril Ramsay and Hudson providing stiff resistance.

In Division Six, Bewdley's third team stay top of the table after defeating Stone.

Bewdley made 259-5, with Matt Cowdery (80) and Andrew Halkon (92 not out) getting amongst the runs.

Dave Richardson and Andrew Stannard each took three wickets when Stone batted, but the villagers held out at 169-9.

In the County Sunday Fearnley League Bewdley defeated Bromsgrove.

Bewdley's opponents made 166-6, with good bowling by Jack Haycock, Dave Richardson and Aidan Laverty.

After Bewdley lost three wickets in reply and fell to 57-3, Mills and Callum Wilson guided their side to victory with seven overs to spare.