FORMER champions Kington climbed to the top of the Crusader Worcestershire County League Division 1 after an exciting 74-run home victory over Hereford-shire rivals Bromyard.

Kington slipped to 80-4 in the face of hostile bowling until Dave Exall and Ed Symonds resurrected the home side's innings with a 98-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Exall struck an accomplished 74 off just 76 balls and Symonds weighed in with 60 from 71 deliveries but Kington were eventually dismissed for a challenging 208 in 47.4 overs.

Although paceman Zahid Saeed delivered a hostile spell, Nick Hitchings (4-57) and Peter Whittenbury (3-27) took the bowling honours for Bromyard.

Bromyard then made the worst possible start when Ashley Bullock and Saeed were removed in successive deliveries by Australian seamer Shaun Johnston, reducing the visitors to 2-2.

Although opening batsman Ed Oliver provided stern resistance, Bromyard slid to 31-5 and appeared to be heading towards a heavy reverse.

Oliver, however, hit a defiant 51 not out and was supported by Kevin Williams (24) and Whittenbury (15) as Bromyard attempted to salvage a losing draw.

Bromyard safely negotiated the 50-over mark, but they finally came unstuck in the second extra over which they gained for bowling out Kington.

Johnston took 4-20 from 17.4 overs, Robbie Symonds, 3-39, and Adam Herbert, 2-20, and Kington sealed the win by claiming the final wicket with just eight balls remaining.

A whirlwind innings from Australian all-rounder Alan Butterworth swept Luctonians to a five-wicket win over basement club Pedmore in a high-scoring match at Mortimer Park.

Chasing Pedmore's 242-6, Luctonians romped to victory in the 41st over after Butterworth hammered an undefeated 76 from just 34 balls in an innings which contained seven fours and five sixes. Although Butterworth took centre stage, Duncan Platford made 37 and Mark Lowden, 32.

Previously, opener Dan Macdonald starred for Pedmore, striking 17 fours and three sixes in a composed 122, while Mark Porter weighed in with 60 not out. Butterworth was the most successful home bowler, taking 3-79 from 15 overs and Mike Pledge bagged 2-63.

Eastnor held out by the narrowest of margins to record a losing draw in a high-scoring match at Evesham in a clash between the two clubs promoted from Division 2 last season.

Despite a fine bowling stint from Tariq, who bagged 5-44, second-placed Evesham rattled up a commanding 251 with excellent knocks from S Berry (82), I Prince (53) and J Gregory (46).

In-form Arshard led Eastnor's reply with a superb 87 and he was backed up by Nick Bollen (41) and the visitors closed on 197-9.