IN-form Worcester had to settle for a losing draw from their trip to city rivals Worcester Nomads in Worcestershire League Division One.

Having been inserted the home side struggled to score against the accurate bowling of Matt Walters (5-52) and Liam Weston, who reduced Nomads to 50-2 after 17 overs.

Guy Davies (9) was the first to go, beaten for pace by Walters. Soon after, Weston accounted for Sam Roberts (23).

The arrival of captain Liam O’Driscoll increased the scoring rate for the hosts as he struck a fluent 48, before being dismissed by Jack Horton.

Young wicket-keeper batsmen Alex Milton (64) constructed a brilliant innings, while Dannie Rees (11), Steve Bowman (16) and Jon Inglis (15) all contributed as Nomads pushed past the 200 mark.

The return of Weston (3-71) and Walters saw Milton fall for 64 and a flurry of wickets brought the Nomads innings to a close on a competitive 252.

The Worcester chase began poorly as O’Driscoll (3-36) bowled a devastating new ball spell to pick up early wickets and leave the visitors reeling at 55-3.

Opener Oliver Peppiatt (38) and Horton (29) stabilised the innings, but runs dried up with the introduction of spin. However, the innings stalled once again as both batsmen were dismissed in quick succession by JJ Dilley (2-50).

Weston and Walters soon went on the counter-attack in search of the winning draw total and some lusty blows saw their side through to 224-6 as both men passed 50 in the final over.

Elsewhere in Division One, leaders Stourbridge completed a 118-run win at Pedmore and are now 70 points clear, heading for a record points total and winning margin.

Astwood Bank’s Steve Adshead once again proved his worth with 136, before Tom Harris took six Oldswinford scalps to claim a huge victory.

At the other end of the table, Bromyard beat Bewdley by eight wickets thanks to Dinusha Fernando’s valuable unbeaten 113 and Redditch beat Romsley by a similar margin to move further clear of the two relegation places.

In Division Two, leaders Hagley were held by Burghill, while Coombs Wood drew level on points by defeating bottom side Kidderminster Victoria. Colwall stay third, 13 points behind, after they drew with Wormelow.

Monmouth and Netherton also shared the spoils and there were wins for Worcester Dominies, over Belbroughton and Feckenham against Malvern.

Division Three leaders Rushwick won at Harvington and once again stretched their lead over Alvechurch, who were held by Stourport.

In Division Four, Tenbury remain top despite being held to a draw by Martley’s last pair.

Brintons stayed third after Lee Waldron’s 6-55 eased them to a six-run win over Amblecote and Barnards Green are fourth after they overcame Avoncroft.

Division Five leading sides Bromsgrove, Old Hill, Ross-on-Wye and Cleobury Mortimer all won against the league’s bottom four teams.