RELEGATED Evesham hope to put a nightmare spell behind them after securing their first Worcestershire Cricket League Division One win of the season.

The ex-Birmingham and District League side have struggled on dropping to county level but a three-wicket home success over Colwall lifted them clear of the drop-zone.

Fourth-from-bottom Evesham dismissed their second-placed visitors for 126 with Masharraf Shazad taking 3-30 and Mohammed Fahim Maan 3-12.

They suffered a collapse after the efforts of opener Michael Stead (35) and Ali Asghar (19) but Fahim Maan (44 not out) and Adieel Aftab (9no) guided them home on 127-7 in 35.3 overs.

Vale rivals Pershore maintained their 100 per cent record with a 144-run thrashing of basement boys Redditch.

Liam Ridings carried his bat with 104 to steer his side to 232-3 with Andrew Robertson adding 46no and opener Chris Ayliffe 41.

Fit-again Luke Dalley tore the Redditch middle order apart with 5-31 to rout the hosts for 88.

Pershore remained 16 points clear at the top of the table with five wins from six games.

Third-from-bottom Harvington’s match with Belbroughton was abandoned due to rain.

Saturday's games see Evesham at Droitwich, Pershore at Worcester Nomads and Harvington at Bromyard (all 1pm).

Third-placed Bredon, who visit Himley on Saturday, are just two points behind Division Three leaders Chaddesley Corbett after a five-wicket win over Tenbury.

Martin Hill's 4-28 helped dismiss the visitors for 115 before openers Tim Mcvicker (41) and Jamie Annand (20) top-scored in a reply of 116-5 in 26 overs.

In the Second XI, Evesham crashed at unbeaten leaders Colwall by 171 runs.

Pershore beat Oldswinford by seven wickets in Division Two thanks to Alexander Brown (106) and Sam Cross (61no) in reply to 242-5 declared. The thirds skittled Enville for just 30 in a Division Seven success.

Birlingham remained top of Division Six with a 64-run win at Droitwich thirds.

Meanwhile, Bretforton were thrashed by 141 runs in the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division clash of the high-fliers at top team Shipston-on-Stour.

But bottom-of-the-table Elmley Castle secured an eight-wicket win at home to Leamington thirds.