COLWALL beat the rain and stole a march on their Worcestershire League Division One title rivals with a crushing nine-wicket home victory over bottom side Bredon in a one-sided and very brief encounter.

After persistent light rain delayed the start for nearly two hours Colwall skipper Ben Cooke had no hesitation in asking Bredon to bat in a contest limited to 35 overs per side and the decision paid off as they quickly capitulated, plunging from 40-2 to 79 all out in 24th over, Colwall blitzing the target in just 12.1 overs in reply to go 44 points clear at the top.

Once Dan Newby had made the initial breakthrough in the third over there was no let up for Bredon as wickets tumbled, paceman Luke Dalley (3-36) taking the next three to fall as only Charlie McVicar put up any sustained resistance.

McVicar was the only visiting batsman to reach double figures as Colwall spinners Nick Brown (3-11) and James Wagstaffe (2-1) took over to complete the rout, Charlie McVicar eventually being last out having scored a valiant 42 out of a paltry final total of 79 all out.

A brief delay for a shower did nothing to ease Bredon’s predicament as home openers Cooke and Nick Panniers wasted little time in sending up a half-century stand before Cooke having hit seven fours in his 35 was caught off Will Metcalfe.

He was replaced by Ben Wheeler who was in no mood to waste any more time, smashing four fours and a six from in taking 22 from Metcalfe’s second over to settle the issue in no uncertain fashion.

Burghill, Tillington and Weobley were also in an unforgiving mood as they cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Cookley.

Clive Chadhani and Hamish Cooke took three wickets each as despite a solid start they restricted Cookley to 99-8 off their 25 overs.

In reply Chadhani also led with the bat hitting 35 before Cooke secured the win with an unbeaten 34.

Meanwhile, Bromyard’s match at Droitwich Spa was one of many abandoned.

Bartestree and Lugwardine also beat the weather but fell by two wickets to Astwood Bank despite a valiant display.

An incredible match at Eastnor saw them tie on 264-8 against Bewdley seconds in a match reduced to 45 overs.

After electing to bat Mohammed Munir led with an unbeaten 78 while Suleyman Shah (56) and Frederick Coleman (45) contributed as they hit what looked like a winning total.

Bewdley looked destined to defeat as Raheel Lone took 5-27 early on until a late 94 for Grant Morris helped earn a tie.