WORMELOW skipper Tom Cutler is hoping that the end of the school and university terms will provide a welcome boost for his side.

A defeat for the Kennel Field club against Old Vigornians has left the villagers propping up Division Two of the Worcestershire League but returning students will give his side a boost, Cutler believes.

"We have a number of players coming back in over the next couple of weeks," said the all-rounder.

"The early season has been tough on everyone but we have managed to get three teams out each week and we're all fighting as well as we can."

Cutler was disappointed to see his side let slip a promising position against their visitors.

" We had them 41-4 at one stage and we bowled very well - managing the attack in the straight win/lose games can be tricky but we did well," he said. "We fielded well too, but the batting let us down - we don't seem to be able to put together an innings. It was often the same last season, too."

Wormelow chipped away well after winning the toss with debutant George Mann (2-19), Luke Sparrow (2-37) and Alistair Main (2-38) each picking up a couple of wickets.

But OV wicket-keeper Steve Campbell Ferguson anchored the innings with an impressive unbeaten 69 to guide his side to 190-9.

In reply, only Matt Deem (20) and Main (21) passed 20 as the hosts were dismissed for 100.

Defeat means Wormelow lose ground on Bartestree & Lugwardine who gained a welcome 61-run win over visiting Himbleton to push up into mid-table.

Ryan Trattell (33) top-scored and then picked up 3-27 as, with skipper Marcus Ashcroft (3-16) also bowling well, the visitors were rushed out for 104.

Bromyard continue to lead the way in the division after seeing off Droitwich Spa by 23 runs in a game reduced to 30 overs a side.

Josh van Rensburg cracked five fours and five sixes in an unbeaten 82 from 78 balls to guide Bromyard to 147-7.

Edward Reece (3-27) and David Taylor (3-33) then bowled well as Spa were restricted to 124.

In Division One, Colwall could only muster 125 despite Fergus Cameron's 39 and went down by six wickets to Feckenham.

And Burghill & Tillington cast away hopes of an important victory when last pair Ben Taylor (22 not out) and Chris Bourne (15 not out) snatched an unlikely win for fellow-strugglers Pedmore.