WORCESTER brought an end to their three-game Worcestershire County League Division One losing streak with an emphatic eight-wicket victory at promotion-chasing Bewdley.
The hosts were skittled out for paltry 77 as Andy Hill (4-41), Mohammad Adeel (2-12), Chris Steel (2-17) and Jabran Khalid (2-3) worked their magic with the ball.
Despite slumping to 24-2 in response, Henry Lewis (24 not out) and Adeel (39 no) steadied the ship as Worcester raced to 78 by the end of the 15th over to leapfrog their opponents into third.
Worcester, who sit 13 points behind league leaders Cookley, travel to winless Droitwich Spa on Saturday.
BEN WHEELER smashed a century as COLWALL claimed a narrow six-run success over Redditch in Division One.
Openers Joseph Blight (21) and Nicholas Brown (24) put on 59 for the first wicket before the Herefordshire side slumped to 82-5.
It was then left for Wheeler to salvage the innings with his unbeaten 104 which featured 13 fours and two sixes as the hosts were bowled out for 237 after 50 overs.
Despite the best efforts of Redditch’s Russell Southwick (68) and Brandon Weal (57), fell just short in their run chase as they reached 231-9.
Jon Gooch (4-47) and namesake Michael (3-38) grabbed the lion’s share of the wickets.
Colwall travel to Stourport-on-Severn Seconds on Saturday.
ZAKARY O’NEILL smashed an unbeaten double century as KEMPSEY walked away with an 82-run victory in a Division Three top-of-the-table clash at Himbleton.
After being restricted to 99 not out last week, O’Neill set out to make a big score at the Meadow Boys and ended the day on 201 as the league leaders reached a staggering 394-3 from 50 overs.
Skipper Chris Jones also crashed 106 while wicket-keeper Tristan Robinson chipped in with an unbeaten 57.
Second-placed Himbleton gave it a good go in response but despite 108 from Richard Sugden, the hosts were bowled out for 312.
Kempsey, who moved 37 points clear of Himbleton at the top of the table, travel to second-from-bottom Martley on Saturday.
MALVERN’S five-game Division Three winning streak came to a crashing end at Bartestree & Lugwardine as they suffered a crushing 122-run defeat.
The Herefordshire side amassed 290-9 from their 50 overs, with Wilf Munn (88) and David Robinson (84) hitting the majority of the runs.
Chay Ankers claimed four wickets at the cost of 33 runs for Malvern who were hustled out for 168 in reply.
Malvern will hope to return to winning ways on Saturday when they travel to Himbleton.
PHIL HAMILTON and Stuart Parker both hit centuries as RUSHWICK moved out of the Division Three relegation zone with a confidence-boosting 70-run victory at Astwood Bank Thirds.
Hamitlon (116) and Stuart Parker (105 not out) showed their batting prowess to smash the visitors to 300-4 in an innings which featured 67 extras.
Liam Probert and Lewis Hooper then picked up three wickets apiece as Bank were back in the pavilion for 230 in the 48th over.
Paul Boycott top scored for the hosts with 68.
Rushwick travel to mid-table Avoncroft on Saturday.
WEST MALVERN dropped to second in the Division Four table after suffering a surprise seven-run home defeat to Tenbury Wells.
Wells were put into bat after losing the call before posting 232-7 with the help of Aaron Morris’ 66.
In response, the hosts fell agonisingly short of victory as they were bowled out for 225.
West entertain Alveley on Saturday.
HANLEY CASTLE & UPTON sit just two points off the Division Four promotion spots following their comfortable seven-wicket victory over basement boys Worcester Thirds.
George Barrell picked up 5-29 for Hanley who bowled Worcester out for 161 in the 43rd over.
The hosts then raced to 162-3 in reply, thanks to Nick Bentley (41 not out), Olly Lewis (53) and Ollie Price (26 no).
Third-placed Hanley welcome Tenbury Wells to The Glebe on Saturday.