PERSHORE continued their recent good form as an emphatic win over Redditch took them to the top of the Worcestershire Cricket League Division One table.

After winning the toss, skipper Chris Ridings asked the hosts to bat on a green-looking pitch and his bowlers took full advantage of the conditions by never giving the Redditch batsmen time to settle.

With Luke Dalley bowling with his usual pace and accuracy, Redditch never came to terms with a variable bounce.

Following a stand of 40 between Dan Protherough (34) and Russell Southwick (27), Redditch lost five wickets in adding just eight runs.

After Lee Wilks came into the attack and blocked off one end, they were never able to accelerate and their innings closed on a disappointing 158 from their allotted 50 overs with Dalley claiming three wickets for Pershore.

In reply, Pershore got away to a steady start but both openers were back in the pavilion with 56 on the board.

This brought together Rob Tidey, returning to the club after several years, and Ridings and, despite a couple of missed chances, they never really looked in serious trouble.

The duo put together a stand of 104 to see Pershore home with 12 overs to spare.

Tidey finished unbeaten with 67 and Ridings ended on 44 not out.

Previous leaders Worcester Nomads slipped up badly after being inserted and dismissed for a poor 129 by Oldswinford.

Astwood Bank go second despite not finishing off Droitwich Spa and Bromyard are up to fourth behind Oldswinford after Tom Baylis demolished Worcester.

Pedmore beat 10th-placed opposition and denied Joe Lennon’s magnificent effort, scoring 138 of Hagley’s total of 207.

Coombs Wood defeated 11th-placed Colwall after being asked to bat and were the only side to register 24 points.

It is still close with the top half of the table covered by just 18 points but, at the foot of the table, Worcester and Colwall seem a bit adrift.

In Division Two, there was no change of leaders despite Stourport’s match at Feckenham being called off.

However, Bewdley’s nine-wicket success at home to Alvechurch and Hopwood edged them up to nine points behind in second as they overtook Burghill and Tillington, who hung on at neighbours Wormelow for a nervous winning draw.

Elsewhere, Worcester Dominies beat Enville, Belbroughton and Rushwick had another close-fought draw and Netherton beat Romsley.

Previous Division Three leaders Tenbury were toppled by Stourbridge Social as Waqas Ahmed took 9-49.

Cookley resumed the leadership by beating Himley, while Harvington drew level on points with Tenbury by thrashing Malvern.

There was a win for Alveley over Chaddesley Corbett and another victory for Birlingham at home to Himbleton.

Bottom side Kidderminster Victoria drew at Harborne in a rain-affected match.

Division Four leaders Ross-on-Wye won at Cleobury Mortimer and second-placed Avoncroft were successful at Martley.

Lye beat Barnards Green and Bromsgrove squeezed a narrow win over Hanley Castle thanks to 7-21 from Paul Husbands.

Old Vigornians’ match at Old Hill was abandoned and they slipped to sixth.

West Malvern beat Canon Frome in Division Five thanks to 94 by Steve Wright and 6-44 from Pete O’Connell.