LEADERS Pershore lost just their second Worcestershire Cricket League Division One match of the season.

But they held on to most of their massive lead as Worcester Nomads also slipped up and fell to third behind Droitwich.

Pershore had a rare off-day and were not up to a modest run chase of 198 to win at Belbroughton.

Nomads were restricted by a keen Colwall attack that included 5-45 from Max Backhouse and did not make enough runs.

Droitwich stole the headlines with a resounding win at Burghill and Tillington and went two points ahead of Nomads but 50 behind Pershore.

As Droitwich play both Pershore and Nomads in remaining games, they could make a late bid for the title.

Eighth-placed Burghill are almost safe from relegation with a 36-point cushion above the bottom quartet headed by Redditch, who were heavily beaten at home by Bewdley despite Tom Field scoring 104 not out.

Bromyard lost at home to second-from-bottom Oldswinford and Stourbridge Social and are now just five points in front.

Pedmore’s plight is also darkening as they returned to the bottom, seven adrift of Oldswinford, after losing at Hagley.

In Division Two, Bredon and Cookley played out one of the games of the season, certainly one that may grace the top flight next year.

Bredon ended up victorious by just three runs at the end of 100 pulsating overs.

They batted first and racked up 289-7 from their overs but Cookley had Jamien Rudd (114) and Jon Stanaway (103) to thank once again as they chased hard for the victory, ending up agonisingly close.

Bredon now have a 19-point lead over Cookley, who are just two in front of Stourport after they crushed Enville by 10 wickets in under 25 overs.

Worcester Dominies are clinging on in fourth following a win at Harborne but Coombs Wood’s challenge may now be over following a loss at Lye.

Feckenham beat Malvern and Wormelow defeated Evesham in mid-table.

Division Three leaders Himbleton beat Avoncroft thanks to 131 from Jon Critchlow.

Second-placed Chaddesley Corbett kept up the pressure just two points back by beating Cleobury despite 127 scored by Ben Griffiths.

They stay one point in front of Alvechurch and Hopwood, who beat bottom-placed Alveley thanks to Ed Rogers’ 104.

The three clubs are almost two wins ahead of Netherton, who beat Rushwick easily, and Bartestree and Lugwardine are fifth following a home defeat to Claverley despite Jamie Greenwood's 5-37. Old Vigornians beat Ross-on-Wye.

In Division Four, Kempsey saw off Bromsgrove’s challenge with 94 scored by Sam O’Neill and Barnards Green took second place back after they thrashed Harvington.

Fourth-placed Kidderminster Victoria were beaten by Hanley Castle and Upton, Five Ways Old Edwardians beat Halesowen to go fifth and Martley are sixth thanks to Dominic Jones’ 137 in the win over Oldswinford.

Himley made 316-9 in their 50 overs and then just held Old Hill at bay as they notched 312-3.

For Old Hill, John Preece was left on 99 not out.

In Division Five, Stourport were victors at Tenbury and still lead by five points from Astwood Bank, who beat Stourbridge.

Tenbury are 33 points behind in third after their defeat and West Malvern are fourth following a win over Hallow when Steve Wright contributed 86 and Matt Hindmarsh took 5-50.

Barnt Green beat Redditch and Old Elizabethans trounced Enville.