PACEMAN Marcus Ashcroft kept Bartestree & Lugwardine in promotion contention with a fine display with the ball as they recorded a 10-run victory against Netherton in the Worcestershire County League Division Two.

After last week's washout and the loss two weeks ago Bartestree were desperate for a win to get the promotion hopes back on track. 

However, the hosts lost two early wickets before the middle order of William Maund (32) and Andy Rogers (24) boosted them to 88-4.

Skipper Ryan Trattell was the only other batter who contributed but ran out of batting partners before losing the last wicket after scoring 46 as his side were bowled out for a below average 132.

Adam Davies led the Bartestree bowling attack taking three early wickets to reduce the visitors to 63-4 and giving the hosts some renewed hope.

Bowling up the hill Ashcroft then produced what was considered ‘one of the best spells’ some spectators had ever seen at Bartestree.

The paceman ended on figures of 5-35 from 12 overs including an incredible caught and bowled off their best batsman.

During a close finish Maund kept his nerve taking the final wicket with Netherton finishing on 122.

At the opposite  end of the table in the Premier Division, Brockhampton’s woes continued as they were bowled out for 81 at Pershore, with the hosts hitting the required runs in 14.1 overs.

Bromyard continued their climb towards mid-table with a fine one-wicket victory at top-five side Astwood Bank.

Five wickets for David Taylor gave the Herefordshire visitors a chance restricting Astwood Bank to a target of 178.

With the bat the ever-reliable Ian Bullock hit 47 from 82 balls before losing his wicket with the match finely poised at 95-5.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals with Nathan Newitt helping with 31 runs including a six before Edward Reece (10no) and Manish Modi (7no) held out to clinch a slender win.

Burghill, Tillington and Weobley kept their hopes of a top-three finish in Division One alive with a victory at struggling Barnt Green seconds.

The Herefordshire visitors relied on their bowling strength as Ben Hawkes, Joel Aldridge and Theo Darke took two wickets each and John Lewis bowled three out.

After causing problems with the ball Darke also hit 48 with the bat and his partnership with Barney Morgan (60) helped his side to victory.

Burghill seconds were helped to victory at home to Ombersley third thanks to a remarkable innings from Tim Walsh who hit 90 off 39 balls including 10 fours and seven sixes.

Wormelow took back top spot in the GB Liners Marches Division One after a dramatic afternoon in Herefordshire.

The league leaders hit a big target of 255-8 at home against Almeley courtesy of a knock of 82 from Tom Parry and an unbeaten 44 from Jake Edmonds as they ran out 54-run winners.

Meanwhile, title rivals Canon Frome tied at Woolhope after both sides were bowled out for 152.