HALF centuries from Kieran Smith and wicket keeper Andy Jones helped Bartestree & Lugwardine to a vital victory over Herefordshire rivals Wormelow in the Worcestershire County League.

With both sides at the wrong end of the Division Two table an added importance was placed on the tie and it was the hosts who thrived in the hot conditions to win by by 29 runs.

Bartestree & Lugwardine captain Marcus Ashcroft led the bowling attack taking 4-29 as Wormelow were bowled out for 190 chasing a target of 219.

“It was a great day and probably the most anticipated game of the season,” said Ashcroft.

“It was good to get the win and 20 points which pulls us away from that bottom group of teams. The restructuring will affect us so we need to go up a few placed in finish mid-table and secure a place in the elite tier next season.

“It’s our first season in this league and it is harder and we have struggled in the wetter conditions. However, we are hitting form with the bat and ball on the fast ground.”

Edd Oliver hit a century as Bromyard continued their stranglehold on Division Two with a 274 runs victory over Kempsey.

After electing to bat opener Oliver was joined at the crease by Nick Leighton (91) as the pair put on a stand of 217 for the opening wicket.

Zahid Saeed and Josh Van Rensburg followed with 43 runs each as their side finished on 332-5 off 50 overs. In response Van Rensburg struck with the ball taking 4-31 but was outdone by an incredible 5-8 for James Owens as their visitors were bowled out for 58.

Burghill, Tillington and Weobley kept their Division One survival hopes alive by taking a four-wicket victory over Feckenham.

The hosts set a target of 188 for Burghill which was reached thanks to an 80 for Ben Owens as his team finished on 192-6.

Colwall were victorious by 44 runs over Worcester thanks to a half-century from Joseph Blight.