The final week of the eleven match spell of win/lose/draw cricket was played on Saturday as the top five divisions continued to jostle for position at both top ends of their respective divisions.  

In Premier Division Stephen Miles (5-24) and Luke Dalley (4-13) shared nine second innings wickets between themselves as they bowled Pershore 1^st XI to a sixty eight run victory against third placed Stourport-on-Severn 1^st XI at the Bottoms, a result that helped them open up a twenty eight point gap to the chasing pack and remain just two points behind leaders Stourbridge 1^st X for whom Dan Wale (6-21) in an eight wicket win against Bromyard 1^st XI whom are now forty five points away from safety at the foot of the table looking like they will need to win at least three of their remaining matches to retain their Premier Division status.

Elsewhere in the division, Redditch 1^st XI kept up their recent improved form by travelling to play Pedmore 1^st XI and walking away with a four wicket win. Lye 1^st XI gained a winning draw against Astwood Bank 1^st XI to continue their impressive first season back in the Premier Division. Old Elizabethans 1^st XI also secured an important winning draw against Brockhampton 1^st XI that moved them twenty three points above Worcester Nomads 1^st XI who occupy the second relegation spot after suffering a five wicket defeat against Bromsgrove 1^st XI at Whitegates Farm.

Division One  continues to be as close as ever with the top six teams all still having a realistic chance pf gaining promotion after results on Saturday.

Barnt Green CC 2^nd XI still top the division after gaining a winning draw against Burghil, Tilligton & Weobley but had their lead cut to just two points as Worcester 1^st XI sealed a win against Halesowen 2^nd XI (who drop to sixth). Droitwich Spa 1^st XI moved in to third place after beating Bewdley 1^st XI at St. Peters Field, whilst Ombersley 2^nd XI gained a winning draw against Combs Wood 1^st XI to keep themselves in the hunt, thirty five points of the promotion places with six win/lose matches remaining.

In other matches in the division, Edward Milner (115*) scored a first innings century for Bartestree & Lugwardine 1^st XI which closed the gap to safety to just thirteen points behind Chaddesley Corbett 1^st XI who suffered an eight wicket loss at the hands of Himley 2^nd XI who are now just under forty points from safety.

Netherton 1^st XI continue to rule the roost in Division Two but had their once unassailable looking lead clipped to forty two points as they had to settle for a losing draw against Alvechurch & Hopwood who moved in to fourth place twenty three points adrift of second placed Colwall 1^st XI who beat Cookley 1^st XI by a wide margin and twelve points adrift of fellow promotion chasing Barnards Green 2^nd XI who recorded a winning draw against Belbroughton 1^st XI.

Elsewhere, fifth placed Kidderminster 2^nd XI lost ground in the chase for promotion as they suffered a four wicket defeat at the hands of Bredon 1^st XI who moved twenty four points clear of Bromsgrove 2^nd XI who are currently eleventh despite recording a victory against Astwood Bank 2^nd XI (for whom James Boycott took 7-52) in the first innings for the visitors and finally Oldswinford 1^st XI beat Enville 1^st XI by a wide margin to keep their feint hopes of portion alive.  

In Division Three,  Noman Waqar (135*) scored a first innings century to help leaders Netherton 2^nd XI secure a winning draw against Feckenham 1^st XI which means they now sit twelve points clear of Harborne 3^rd XI who snatched a winning draw against Redditch 2^nd XI by a one run margin. Lye 2nd XI recorded a last gasp two wicket win against Rushwick 1^st XI which closed the gap in third to twenty seven points and Himbleton 1^st XI led by James Mann (95) stayed in the promotion hunt by posting a huge first innings total that proved out of Avoncroft 1^st XIs reach.

The remainder of the chasing pack are headed by Old Elizabethans 2^nd XI who remain fifty one points behind second placed Harborne 3^rd XI after they recorded a four wicket win against Stourport-on-Severn 2^nd XI who are bottom with work to do and Brockhampton 2^nd XI occupy mid division after beating Martley 1^st XI by four wickets at the Parks.

Nick Jones (106* & 4-55) ensured Worcester Nomads 2^nd XI continued to dominate Division Four with an excellent all round performance that helped record a maximum points win against Hagley 2^nd XI at Hagley Hall, a result that helped them increase their lead to forty six points at the top of the table.

However, the second promotion position looks like being a battle that goes right to the end of the season as quite literally thirty points separate second placed Droitwich Spa 2^nd XI (who were forced to hang on to a losing draw against in form Five Ways Old Edwardians 1^st XI for whom Abdul Azam (118) compiled a first innings century) from tenth placed Harborne 4^th XI who sit twenty six points ahead of the relegation zone after being forced to cling on to a losing draw against in form basement side Stourbridge 2^nd XI.

In other matches in the division, West Malvern 1^st XI leap frogged Claverley 1^st XI (who lost to fifth placed Old Hill 2^nd XI) in to third place after securing a winning draw against Romsley & Hunnington 1^st XI. Sixth placed Old Vigornians 1^st XI who have turned their poor early season form around, now sit in sixth place just sixteen points off the promotion places after Chris Drew (5-48) help restrict Worcester 2^nd XI to a mediocre first innings score which helped secure a nine wicket win.

Seven points separates the top three teams in Division Five  after leaders Tenbury Wells 1^st XI suffered a close four run defeat against Eastnor 1^st XI at Clenchers Mill Lane, a result that in turn helped Malvern 1^st XI hit the top of the table after they recorded a comfortable seven wicket success against visitors Pedmore 2^nd XI at the Ramblers Ground and Pershore 2^nd XI to close the gap in third place to just three points after they beat Bewdley 2^nd XI by a forty five point margin.

Elsewhere, Stourbridge 3^rd XI record an important win against Astwood Bank 3^rd XI which pulled them seventeen points clear of the relegation zone currently occupied by Hanley Castle & Upton 1^st XI who recorded a win of their own against basement side Barnt Green 3d XI and finally Coombs Wood 2^nd XI were beaten by Bromyard 2^nd XI which looks like they now have too much to do to challenge for promotion.

Division Six remains wide open as the top seven teams still have a realistic mathematical chance of gaining promotion.

James Towey (114) ensured Harvington 1^st XI continued leading the way after his first innings century went a long way to help record a comfortable victory against Belbroughton 2^nd XI.  Second placed Himley 3^rd XI lost ground and find themselves twenty points adrift of the leaders after suffering a twenty run defeat at the hands of Cutnall Green 1^st who continue to look dangerous, twenty two points off the promotion places in fifth. Halesowen 3^rd XI also lost ground on the leaders after they suffered defeat at the hands of seventh placed Claverley 2nd XI who are still in with a realistic chance of promotion, whilst fourth placed Kidderminster 3^rd XI also lost ground after being beaten by Alveley 1^st XI.

Elsewhere, sixth placed Colwall 2^nd XI kept their hopes of promotion alive by beating basement side Old Vigornians 2^nd XI who look certainties for relegation, sixty points adrift at the bottom and finally former Worcestershire CCC and Scotland seamer James Brinkley (82*) helped Chaddesley Corbett 2^nd XI to their second win of the season against Bromsgrove 3^rd XI who lie twenty seven points above the relegation zone in tenth place.

In the Regional Divisions, Division Seven (North) Cookhill 1^st XI were able to open up a thirty two point gap at the top after Olie Hills (103) helped them secure a tight eight run win against Oldswinford 2^nd XI, whilst second placed Old Elizabethans 3^rd XI were being beaten by Alvechurch & Hopwood 2^nd XI who kept their feint hopes of promotion alive with an excellent four wicket win.

In other matches, Harborne 5^th XI remain third after Imran Sharif (119*) steered them to an eight wicket win against Ombersley 3^rd XI at Addis Lane. Stone 1^st XI lost ground in fourth place after being beaten by sixth placed Himley 4^th XI who look too far back in sixth to mount a realistic promotion challenge, as do Enville 2^nd XI who occupy seventh place after batting Romsley & Hunnington 2^nd XI out of the game in the first innings and finally Ryan Humphries (6-18) helped basement side Feckenham 2^nd XI secure their second win of the season against Halesowen 4^th XI.

In Division Seven (South ) Burghill, Tillington & Weobley 2^nd XI continue to lead the way after Gregory Penning (107*) scored an undefeated first innings hundred to help set a target that proved far too many for visiting Bartestree & Lugwardine 2^nd XI to chase in the second innings. Worcester Amigos 1^st XI who received a win by concession over Canion Frome 1^st XI (who have been forced to withdraw from the league) are second fifteen points adrift having played a game more, Ledbury 1^st XI, who have also played a game more, occupy third position a further point behind after Tom Bowring (90) led them to victory against Barnards Green 3^rd XI. Rushwick 2^nd XI who, despite the best efforts of Martin Downes (112) beat Birlingham 1^st XI by six wickets to retained fourth place, twenty one points behind the leaders and drawn to play them next week and finally Pershore 3^rd XI are a further seven points behind after recording a comfortable win against Martley 2^nd XI.

In the ten team Regional Division Eight the play off positioning changed again as a result of matches played across the board and now looks as follows with just five matches remaining.

1. Droitwich Spa CC 3^rd XI    250 Pts/14     = 17.86 (Average Points Per Game)

2. Builth Wells CC 1^st XI                    210 Pts/12     = 17.50 (APPG)

3. Himbleton CC 2^nd XI                     241 Pts/14     = 17.12 (APPG)

4. Brockhampton 3^rd XI                    232 Pts/14     = 16.57 (APPG)        

5. Netherton CC 3^rd XI                    225 Pts/14          = 16.07(APPG)

6. Harborne CC 6^th XI                      224 Pts/14          = 16.00(APPG)

7. Goodrich CC 1^st XI                       189 Pts/12          = 15.75 (APPG)

8. Hallow Taverners 1^st XI             220 Pts/14          = 15.71 (APPG)

Reserves

9. Fownhope Strollers 1^st XI         213.Pts/14         = 15.21 (APPG) – 1^st Reserve

10. Lye CC 3^rd XI                                                208 Pts/14          = 14.85 (APPG) – 2^nd Reserve

11. Alveley CC 2^nd XI                        208 Pts/14          = 14.85 (APPG) – 3^rd Reserve     

12. Redditch Entaco CC 3^rd XI      200 Pts/14          = 14.28 (APPG) – 4^th Reserve

Quarter Final Ties

Droitwich Spa CC 3rd XI                         v              Hallow Taverners CC 1^st XI.

Builth Wells CC 1^st XI                               v              Goodrich CC 1^st XI                                                           

Himbleton CC 2^nd XI                  v              Harborne CC 5^th XI                                                         

Brockhampton 3^rd XI                        v              Netherton CC 3^rd XI

Droitwich Spa 3^rd XI continue to lead the Division Eight average point per match table (above) after recording a six wicket win against Old Halesonians 1^st XI in Division Eight (West). Builth Wells 1^st XI are second best after being gifted full points by a Ross-on-Wye CC 1^st XI concession. Third place is held by Himbleton 2^nd XI for whom Scott Clarke (234) scored a first innings doble century in a big win against Pershore 4^th XI and Brockhampton CC 3^rd XI sit in fourth the final home draw position after beating Bosbury 1^st XI by six wickets.

Netherton 3^rd XI are the fifth best qualifier at present after they recorded another home win, a seven wicket success against Enville 3^rd XI. Harborne 6^th XI are sixth best qualifier after Abdullah Touseef (133) and Akshay Pappala (16*) both scored first innings centuries to set up a win against Halesowen 5^th XI. Seventh position is occupied currently by Goodrich 1^st XI who have slipped from best qualifier to seventh in the space of two weeks following another loss this time to Garnons 1^st XI by a wide margin and the final play off qualifier is now Hallow Taverners 1^st XI who have scrapped back in after beating West Malvern 2^nd XI by eight wickets at the expense of Lye 3^rd XI who were on the wrong end of an excellent first innings century from Old Hill 3^rd XIs opening batsman Shaan Nagra (150*).  Other reserve teams including Lye 3^rd XI

are Fownhope Strollers 1^st XI who are ninth, Lye CC 3^rd XI are tenth, Alveley 1^st XI are eleventh and Redditch Entaco 3^rd XI.

InRegional Division Nine (North Group), Neil Shuttleworth (5-29) returned excellent first innings figures for Cookhill 2^nd XI against second placed Himley 5^th XI which helped open up a nineteen point lead at the top of the table. Belbroughton 3^rd XI leap frogged Avoncroft 3^rd XI in to third position after beating them by a tight seven run margin. Hagley 4^th XI are next after beating Feckenham 3^rd XI by an eight wicket margin.

Elsewhere, Dave Potter (186*) scored an undefeated century for Five Ways Old Edwardians 3d XI in their comprehensive win against Oldswinford 2^nd XI and finally Redditch Entaco 3^rd XI beat Pedmore 4^th XI by seven wickets.

In the South Group, Stone 2^nd XI failed to take advantage of leaders Ledbury 2^nd XIs free week as they were beaten by.

Brockhampton 4^th XI for whom Edward Maxted (111) scored a first innings century that helped set a target that proved out of Stone 2^nd XIs reach. Andy Mason (96) fell just four runs short of a century for Rushwick 3^rd XI in their win against Hanley Castle & Upton 2^nd XI that keeps them in third place, nine points behind Stone 2^nd XI with a game in hand, whilst in other matches, Droitwich Spa 5^th XI beat Bromyard 3^rd XI by nine wickets and Owen Gregory (110) compiled a first innings century for Barnards Green 4^th XI in a ninety eight run win against Malvern 3^rd XI.

In the Marches Division One, leaders Builth Wells 1^st XI received a win by concession against Ross-on-Wye C 1^st XI who failed to raise a team whilst second placed Goodrich 1^st XI were heavily beaten by Woolhope 1^st XI for whom Dom Larkin (141) scored a first innings century. This opened up a twenty one point gap between the top two with Garnons 1ts XI who had a free week in third place a further nineteen points adrift. Wormelow 1^st XI occupy fourth place despite losing to Luctonians 1^st XI and in the other match that was played Kington 1^st XI beat Dales by seventy two runs.

In Marches Division Two, leaders Hay-on-Wye 1^st XI returned from their free week to beat Moccas 1^st XI by five wickets to retain their top of the table position, thirteen points clear of Almeley 1^st XI who beat Canon Frome 1^st XI by seven wickets, whilst in the other matches played in the division Builth Wells 2^nd XI beat Knighton-on-Teme 1^st XI by eight wickets and Presteigne 1^st XI beat Woolhope 2^nd XI by one hundred and sixteen runs. 

In Marches Division Three, Goodrich 1^st XI extended their lead after recording a ten wicket victory againstFownhope Strollers 2^nd XI, whilst second placed Dales 2^nd XI were beaten by three wickets by Luctonians 2^nd XI. Third placed Bartestree & Lugwardine 3^rd XI also suffered defeat at the hands of Ross-in-Wye CC 2^nd XI and in the other match played in the division Burghill, Tillington & Weobley 3^rd XI beat Kington 2^nd XI to move in to fourth place.

Stuart Lampitt