BARTSTREE & Lugwardine firsts went top of the Worcestershire & County League Division Two at the half-way stage with a fine victory at previous league leaders Alvechurch and Hopwood.

On a very green wicket and in humid conditions Adam Davies gave a masterclass in swing bowling to break the top order, and Marcus Ashcroft tore through the rest, with five wickets to his name.

With only 140 to chase, the firsts knew that slip-ups have happened before in this sort of position, but some steady and mature batting saw them safely home, with opener Matthew Tulacz top scoring on 66.

An all-Herefordshire tie saw Bromyard take on Brockhampton in the Worcestershire County League Premier Division.

After being put into bat Bromyard started well with opener Ian Bullock hitting 113 off 150 balls before George Godsall (41) and Rob Willis (52) helped them to set a target of 262/4 off their 50 overs.

In reply Brockhampton looked in trouble at 137-7 but held on with Jamie Burgess hitting an unbeaten 83 as his side earnt a losing draw finishing on 231/8.

This came a week after Bromyard second father and son combination James and Chrissy Brown did the damage taking 5-38 and 4-16 respectively bowling Tenbury out for 58.

Burghill, Tillington and Weobley thirds were in fine batting form in the Worcestershire County League Division Seven (South).

Hosts Barnards Green thirds regretted the division to put their visitors into bat as the Herefordshire side ran riot hitting 363.

Rob Garrard (95) and 16-year-old Rhodri Jones (54) with the pair putting on 74 for the first wicket.

Teenager George Stevenson (96) joined Garrard and together they put on 170 runs in 20 overs.

Little cameos of 25 from Jasper Darke and Ben Oyston took the score to 363-7 off 45 overs.

In reply Barnards Green were skittled out for 87 in 21.2 overs. Stevenson and Amy Maund took three wickets apiece and 14-year-old Archie Stevenson a couple.

Four wins on the bounce at the halfway stage moves the seconds up to third in the league.