BARTESTREE & Lugwardine have promotion from the Worcestershire County League firmly in their sights despite falling to a narrow 22-run defeat at the hands of title rivals Himley seconds.

The Herefordshire hosts put their visitors into bat and after an opening stand of 37 took control with Adam Davies, William Maund and Marcus Ashcroft each taking three wickets.

Himley were taking things very cautiously and after 35 overs were on 70-5. Unsurprisingly the visitors finished with a flourish and took advantage of some tired fielding to set a target of 142-9 off 50 overs.

The hosts were pleased with their efforts with the ball and were confident of chasing the target. However, Himley struck back reducing Bartestree to 67-8 and the victory looked theirs.

Ranjit William (31) and Adam Davies (26) got stuck in and showed the top order how to bat properly before eventually finishing 22 runs short of the target before being dismissed.

In the Premier Division, Brockhampton moved away from the bottom places with their third victory of the season against Droitwich Spa.

Brockhampton’s win was aided by bowling figures of 5-51 for Jamie Burgess as the visitors were all out for 142.

In reply opener Tom Skerrett hit 41 from 96 balls as four quick wickets fell only for Jamie Burgess to join him with an unbeaten 60 to clinch the win.

Bromyard shared the points with Pershore after the hosts set a target of 234-9 before the Herefordshire side held out on 184-8.

Burghill, Tillington and Weobley were left disappointed with a losing draw at Bromsgrove seconds after a batting collapse left them staring at defeat.

Despite the good batting track Bromsgrove were restricted to 181 and were it not for a handful of dropped catches, the score could have been 40 to 50 runs less.

Mohammed Hassan 4-50, AJ Morris 3-41 and Ben Hawkes 2-37 produced some controlled bowling to restrict the hosts.

The Burgs started off positively and at drinks were 88-1.  Clive Chadhani (32) and Harry Sockett (40) put on 46 for the first wicket and their side looked in complete control.

However, a complete collapse saw them fall to 118-8 and 16 year-olds, AJ Morris and George Stevenson had to block eight overs.

Number 11, JD Lewis then blocked the last over to force the draw, with the score at 139-9.

Wormelow sit top of the GB Liners Marches Division One after taking their eighth victory of the season against Builth Wells.

Jake Edmonds took 4-38 to restrict the Radnorshire side to 196-8 from their 45 overs. Wormelow opener Luke Jones hit a half-century to set them up for victory before James Snow came in with an unbeaten 73 as they finished on 199-4 off 27.2 overs.