STOURPORT and Bewdley earned important points for their battles at opposite ends of the table in Monday's draw at Walshes Meadow.

Promotion-chasing Bewdley, asked to bat first, totalled a daunting 268-8 with Simon Smith (56) and Craig Allen impressing.

Smith was dismissed by a sensational Neil Bailey catch off the bowling of Colin Buckle who took 4-73 on his return to the club.

Spirited fielding kept the total down and lowly Stourport were given a flying start by Tom Gloster (44) and Bryan Colley.

But the visitors regained control through tight bowling from Mark Bennett, Robert Combes and Simon Mauger.

Ian Delo (43) resisted stoutly and with Phil Williams finishing unbeaten on 51 Stourport closed on 206-5, giving them nine points and Bewdley 14.

Stourport now require five points from two games to stay up.

Bewdley 268-8, Stourport 206-5.

Bewdley seconds won the derby by eight wickets to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Steve Davis made an excellent 94 not out for visiting Stourport but the second highest score was just 10.

Scott Fowler (4-61) and Andy Hartley took seven wickets between them.

Chasing 185 runs, David Jones (42) and Andy Robinson (58 not out) put on 81 for the first wicket before Gareth Lewis (44 not out) finished the game with a flurry of boundaries.

Stourport 2nds 184, Bewdley 2nds 185-2.

Fixtures, Saturday: Alvechurch & Hopwood v Stourport (1sts away, 2nds home, 1pm), Feckenham v Bewdley (1sts away, 2nds home, 1pm), Old Elizabethans v Bewdley Cavaliers (1pm).