THE return of win or lose and no draw in the top divisions was greeted by some dodgy weather as the calculators whirred into action for reduced targets.

In Division One, Worcester and Pershore proved why they have been the best sides in the league this year by both winning games chasing challenging totals in difficult circumstances.

Worcester stay 57 ahead of Pershore and can wrap the title up with a home win over their rivals today after winning by just just one wicket against Redditch.

Redditch were the other side relegated from the Birmingham League with Worcester 10 years ago and, having both spent the last decade in Division One, they could be heading in different directions after yesterday’s win by Worcester.

The home side posted a total of 232-6, after several interruptions, which was mainly due to Russell Southwick’s belligerent 127 not out.

However, Worcester chased down a revised target of 219 in 41 overs thanks to Simon Keyte’s 85 and some magnificent tail-wagging by youngsters Harry Clark and Luke Deeprose, who hit two fours from the last three balls to win the match.

Pershore entertained Worcester Nomads, who had been closing the gap on them in the past few weeks, and ran out worthy winners, again on run rate calculations, after Nomads had posted 262-8.

Chris Ayliffe carried his bat in a magnificent 133 not out to steer Pershore home with three overs remaining.

Nomads hung onto third spot, 32 points behind Pershore and a massive 89 behind Worcester — but only just. Colwall are breathing down their necks in fourth spot following a faster scoring rate win at Hagley who are just behind in fifth place.

Bromyard at last climbed off the foot of the table with an enormous win over Harvington thanks to 127 runs and three wickets from 16-year-old Josh Tongue. Bromyard are now seven points behind Redditch in ninth.

Evesham are now bottom after losing by just one wicket to Droitwich with Martyn Davies taking six wickets in Evesham’s innings which was dominated by Hamza Ahmed who made 74.

Burghill are now almost champions in Division Two with a 61 points lead and just 80 still at stake.

Dominies are 23 further behind Bewdley so technically Burghill became the first team to be promoted from the division after they won at Malvern.

Dominies won at almost relegated Rushwick thanks to 128 not out scored by Steve Miles and have overtaken Oldswinford who were rained off at home to Wormelow.

Feckenham beat Enville and Lye and Coombs Wood were rained off with no play.

Division Three leaders Harborne beat Alveley with 105 from Tom Nicholson and Stourport won at Ross-on-Wye on a faster scoring rate.

Bredon have slipped to third, below Stourport, as they failed to get any points at Cleobury in another rain-affected match.

Avoncroft were similarly successful at Chaddesley, while Alvechurch climbed the table by winning at Netherton in a rain-reduced match and Old Vigornians beat Tenbury despite 71 from Aaron Morris.