RUSHWICK remain at the top of Worcestershire League Division Three after snatching victory from the jaws of defeat at Harborne.

The visitors, chasing 155, were struggling on 115-8 but a 40-run ninth-wicket partnership between teenagers Tom Davies and Liam Probert saw them claim an unlikely win.

Alvechurch & Hopwood stay in second as they posted 300 for the second week running thanks to 92 from Matt Hayward.

John Pinsent then registered figures of 5-35 to ensure the journey home from Eastnor was an enjoyable one.

Third-placed Bromsgrove’s innings of 278-5 secured them a winning draw against Hanley Castle & Upton.

Avoncroft moved to fourth after easing to a home win over Malvern while Lye proved the biggest climbers of the day after winning a tight Black Country derby against Netherton.

A brilliant undefeated 136 from Tom Vale helped Martley post an excellent 318-5 at Five Ways Old Edwardians But the home side batted out for a losing draw, finishing just short of maximum batting points thanks largely to Sukhraj Gill who scored 87.

It is tight at the top of Division Two with four teams separated by just 14 points.

Belbroughton snatched top spot after Jamie Woodhouse returned figures of 6-26 to ensure a comfortable victory at Wormelow.

Zahid Saeed continued his impressive start to the season with an undefeated 118 to help Bromyard gain maximum points against Bredon and move into second.

Enville jumped into third spot following their second win in as many matches against bottom club Old Vigornians.

Last week’s table toppers Coombs Wood slipped up against Oldswinford where Tom Slater’s innings of 70 helped the visitors post a total that proved too many for the home side. Wood eventually had to settle for a losing draw which leaves them in fourth.

Elsewhere, Sam O’Neill blasted an undefeated 118 which included 11 maximums to help Kempsey to their first victory of the season in the battle of the promoted teams at Himbleton.

Bartestree won a cliff hanger at St. Peters Field against Droitwich Spa by four runs to move out of the relegation zone.

Worcester Nomads continue to set the pace in Division One as they chalked up their third win of the season against lowly Pedmore at Whitegates Farm. Stourport and Bewdley are in second and third respectively as they gained maximum point wins.

Jack Mills and Martyn Carr shared eight wickets between them for Bewdley as they rolled Evesham for 144 to seal victory by a comfortable margin.

A brilliant all round performance by Ryan Derrick (6-61 and 102 not out) against Colwall eased Stourport to a seven-wicket win.

Cookley gained a first win of the campaign in a nail biter at Feckenham, while Worcester could not quite bowl bottom-of-the-table Burghill out and had to settle for a winning draw. Chaddesley also collected a winning draw against Hagley who were nine wickets down at the close.

In Division Four, Shaz Gill took 4-8 against Romsley & Hunnington at Earls High School to set up a comfortable win for Halesowen who stay top. Will Lloyd finished 98 not out as he guided West Malvern to an eight-run maximum point win after being inserted by visitors Kidderminster. Meanwhile, Stourbridge find themselves back in third position following an 82-run victory after batting first at Hallow Taverners.

Tenbury beat Alveley at Penlu by six wickets which eased them in to joint fourth alongside Astwood Bank who could only muster a winning draw against Claverley after posting an impressive 248-7.

Himley overcame Stourport at Wolverhampton Road to stay in mid-table.