WORCESTER’S Old Vigornians climbed back into the second promotion spot in Worcestershire Cricket League Division Three after an exciting winning draw against Barnards Green.

OVs moved to within 21 points of leaders Harborne and are seven off Kempsey ahead of the final game of the season, while Green secured enough to be safe and relegate town rivals Malvern.

After hours of steady drizzle, the two sides started a 24 overs-a-side match. OVs were put into bat and made steady progress thanks to openers Osman Fiaz (26) and Chris Drew (24).

The real impetus came when Andy Bell (71 not out) and Alex Parker (28) added 72 in six overs.

Bell hit nine fours and a six as OVs scored at more than nine-an-over for the second half of their innings.

Lewis Hooper took 5-48 from six overs but the bowlers struggled as the drizzle returned for the final 10 overs. Dan Metcalfe took two excellent catches in the deep. 

Captain Judd Doughty led the Green response and scored a quick 55 with support from Duncan Cooper (20) and Hooper (19) but the run-rate increased and the wickets kept falling.

There were two well-taken catches from Ahsan Fiaz and direct run outs from George Painter and Parker before Azmat Riaz took the crucial catch to remove Doughty.

OVs looked likely to pull off an unlikely win but Harvey Smedley (5no) and Cyril Dean (6no) saw Green through to 139-8 to get two extra bonus points as Malvern’s match with Kempsey was abandoned.

OVs host Bartestree and Lugwardine on Saturday and Kempsey visit Harborne.

Netherton beat Himbleton thanks to Danny Lowe’s 7-37 and Rushwick defeated Avoncroft by one wicket thanks to Clive Jones taking 6-32.

Division One champions Worcester Nomads failed to start at Hagley and Colwall closed the gap with bonus points at home to Burghill, Tillington and Weobley before rain ended the match.

Belbroughton and Oldswinford now look doomed to relegation after failing to start at Hackman’s Gate as third-from-bottom Pedmore secured a winning draw at home to Droitwich despite 94 not out for Spa’s Jordan Renau.

Redditch were crowned Division Two champions with a win at Wormelow and return to the top flight after just one season away.

Feckenham declared on 249-9 against Lye and then bowled them out for just 54 with Tom Coulson grabbing 6-23 to go 20 points clear in second from Chaddesley Corbett, who were held to a losing draw by Evesham.

Alvechurch and Hopwood’s match with Worcester Dominies was called off, ending their faint hopes of survival.

In Division Four, Five Ways Old Edwardians will need at least four points to secure the title but they are promoted along with Martley.

Only three matches were played in Second XI Division One where champions Worcester Nomads drew with Hagley as young wicketkeeper Ollie Ranscombe scored his maiden century.

Bewdley beat Evesham thanks to 4-65 and 55 from Luke Groves, while Redditch’s Geoff Eley made 124 not out in 32 overs in an abandoned match.

Feckenham clinched the Division Two title without playing and Harborne will join them in Division One after their game was also called off.

Rushwick will be relegated following Avoncroft’s winning draw, which featured Sam Hughes’ 143 not out and David Anson’s 116.

At Claverley in Division Three, seven-man Kempsey were severely tested as they conceded 268-5 declared in 35 overs and were then bundled out in 16 overs for 38.