A BATTING collapse cost Bewdley in Worcestershire League Division One after a good bowling and fielding display against title challengers Pedmore.

Bewdley eventually lost by 115 runs and could only pick up four points in their battle to stay away from the bottom two.

In 13 overs and four balls, which included seven maidens, Pedmore's Matt Smith took 8-16 with Paul Edwards Bewdley's top scorer on 16.

Pedmore had batted first with Mark Edwards bowling throughout and taking 6-59.

D Freeman hit a solid 53 to hold the innings together as wickets fell regularly, apart from a stand of 47 for the fourth wicket.

Mark Venross claimed 3-49 as the Pedmore batsmen hit out late on before being dismissed in the 47th over.

Bewdley reached 29-3 with the help of P Edwards' early stand but the last seven wickets fell for just 22 runs as they crashed to defeat.

Pedmore 166, Bewdley 51.

Bewdley seconds suffered a similar heavy defeat by 136 runs at Lower Park, also against Pedmore.

The visitors batted first and lost two wickets to John Goodreds (2-36) in a steady opening spell.

Gough joined Harwood for a 60-run stand before John Peer whittled away two more wickets in his spell of 2-55.

At 159-5, Dushy and Dunton were able to put on 50 before the innings ended.

Bewdley's reply soon ran into trouble to Leyland's opening burst as the bowler took 5-9 in 12 overs.

The home side collapsed to 28-6 but Andy Robinson and Peer added 30 for the seventh wicket before Dushy was brought into the attack to wrap up the game.

Pedmore 209-5, Bewdley 73.