BROMYARD claimed a crucial 39-run victory against bottom-of-the-table Alvechurch & Hopwood to give themselves a fighting chance of staying in Worcestershire County League Division Two.

All rounder Greg Leighton top scored with 71, while opener James Owens also contributed with 65.

Bromyard will be thankful of the duo's work, as the rest of the batting order only contributed 47 runs, with four batsmen out for ducks.

The second-from-bottom side managed to post 204 after being bowled out in the 45 over.

Charanjit Singh and Edd Rodgers, who scored 42 and 30 respectively, led Alvechurch’s reply.

However, support around them was lacking in similar fashion to the Bromyard innings and excellent bowling from Leighton and Josh van Rensburg, both picking up three wickets each, bowled the opponents out for 165.

Wormelow sit just four points ahead of Bromyard after losing by 60 runs to fellow strugglers Bredon.

Bartestree & Lugwardine were involved in a close encounter against Avoncroft in Division Three.

Ben Chaplin continued to score runs with 92 and led the side to a competitive total of 283-9.

Avoncroft took until the final over to reach the total set; David James scoring 113 at the top of the order.

Ross-on-Wye lost by five wickets to Himbleton, despite Tim Dulson's 50.

Elsewhere, Burghill, Tillington & Weobley were unable to assail Pedmore’s total of 317-9 in Division One, despite the efforts of both openers Cameron McNaught and Ben Owens passing fifty, but Colwall tightened their grip in second place in the division with a 43-run victory of Oldswinford & Stourbridge Social.