THE batting let relegation-threatened Bewdley down as they slipped to a 15-run defeat against Netherton in Worcestershire League Division One.

Mark Edwards bowled 23 overs to finish with another five-wicket haul for 54 runs in a spirited bowling and fielding display.

Edwards had started with two successive wicket maidens as Netherton lost two wickets for four runs before Hall and Lee rebuilt the innings.

From 62-3 in the 28th over, Netherton slumped to 128-8 but the tail enders fought hard and it took the return of Jason Taylor to wrap up the innings on 162.

Bewdley looked to be going well while Mark Venross and Simon Smith were together.

But from 53-1 the innings went into a decline which accelerated when Mark Bennett was adjudged lbw.

At 99-7, Steve Odell began a recovery which Edwards helped to continue and Bewdley seemed to have chance of snatching victory.

However, Edwards was left high and dry with Bewdley 15 runs short and seven overs left.

Netherton 162 (24 points), Bewdley 147 (5).

Bewdley seconds batted first at Netherton but lost their last seven wickets for just 53 runs, putting their hosts on the way to a five-wicket victory.

Despite losing an early wicket, Bewdley started well with captain David Jones in good form.

Rick Partridge helped things along with a promising innings to take the score to 126-3 but Netherton's fifth bowler Davenport brought about a change in fortunes and Bewdley were dismissed in the 47th over.

Netherton's opener Powell was soon hitting off the runs, despite wickets for Stuart Gillespie in his opening spell.

When McDougall joined Powell for the fourth wicket, any chance of a Bewdley victory disappeared as all the bowlers were punished.

Although both were dismissed just before the end, the home victory was never in doubt.

Bewdley 179 (5), Netherton 182-5 (20).

Ombersley gained a winning draw against Bewdley Cavaliers in a Third Double fixture.

The villagers had 50 on the board by the seventh over, though the introduction of Tim Marshall through the rest of the innings calmed things down.

Dave Allen hit an aggressive half-century and Bewdley did well to pull Ombersley back from 112-2 after 16 overs.

Derek Moses held two skyers as he patrolled the boundary then participated in a steady opening partnership of 44 with Peter Harler.

And Harler went on to dominate a 40-run partnership with Steve Venross.

But when Venross was out at 84-2, there was insufficient support for Harler.

When he was eventually out for 74, it was left to the father-and-son Cowdrey duo to play out the draw.

Ombersley 211-9 (14), Bewdley Cavaliers 146-6 (7).