PERSHORE struck an important blow in the Worcestershire Cricket League Division One title race with a 49-run win at fellow challengers Colwall.

The leaders maintained their three-point advantage over Worcester, who also claimed 24 points with a four-wicket victory at bottom side Bromyard.

Fourth-placed Pedmore were unable to make any headway as they were rained off at Evesham and Hagley beat a spirited, second-from-bottom Harvington by 29 runs to climb to fifth.

Pershore's win was fired by 60 not out from Lee Wilks and Ullrich Boshoff (45) as a damp track after showers made runs hard to come by in their 192-6 from 50 overs.

But Martin Johnson (3-30), Wilks (2-25) and Luke Dalley (3-30) tore through the hosts, who collapsed to 143 all out.

Harvington restricted hosts Hagley to 190 all out from 50 overs with Jayden Lennox (6-51) taking the bulk of the wickets.

However, the Vale side fell short after being dismissed for 161 despite the efforts of Jaimen Rudd (37), Michael Granacki (21) and skipper Lee Ross (48).

Pershore visit Droitwich on Saturday, while Evesham and Harvington host Redditch and Worcester Nomads respectively (all 1pm).

Bredon are third in Division Three, 14 points behind second-placed Stourport, after a high-scoring five-wicket home win over Ross-on-Wye.

The visitors powered to 274-7 from 50 overs but Martin Hill (104 not out) and Martyn Draper (48) hit back to fire Bredon home.

Birlingham remained top of Division Six with a winning draw against Highley after scoring 204-9 and keeping the Shropshire side to 201-8.

Charles Lawton scored 42 and Martin Webb took 4-34.

Meanwhile, Bretforton recorded a second consecutive victory over high-flying Leamington thirds in the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division, winning by 78 runs after amassing 279-6.

Bottom-of-the-table Elmley Castle lost by nine wickets to title-chasing Wellesbourne, while Broadway dismissed lowly Catherine de Barnes for just 54 in their eight-wicket success.

Bidford-on-Avon strengthened their grip on Division One with a 31-run win over Norton Lindsey but Ashton-under-Hill crashed to 63 all out in a seven-wicket defeat to fellow strugglers Chipping Campden.