COLWALL slipped into the Worcestershire County League Division One bottom half after suffering a 53-run defeat at the hands of title chasers Bewdley.

The writing was on the wall from the outset for the Herefordshire visitors after a first wicket stand of 171 built up by Simon Mauger (87) and Ash Fearnall (113).

Bewdley added further runs and set a daunting total of 344-6.

In reply Colwall lost Joseph Blight off the second ball, but then showed real spirit with the bat with Fergus Cameron (26) and Nick Brown (45) adding 63 for the second wicket before Ben Cooke (65) and James Abel (60) put on another 96.

Ben Febery (58) then came in to add 99 with Cooke for the fourth wicket, but Colwall were never really up with the rate, closing on 291-8 with Jack Mills returning 5-50 for Bewdley.

Burghill, Tillington and Weobley CC continued to struggle at the basement of Division One but picked up some bowling points during their 127-run defeat by Hagley.

Ben Parkinson took 5-52 as the hosts bowled Hagley out for 268 with half-centuries by Paul Morgan and James Russell.

However, they struggled with the bat five only five batters reaching double figures and Clive Chadhani top scoring on 32 as they were skittled out for 141 off 32 overs.