MALVERN'S Barnards Green lead a cluster of four clubs in the middle of the Birmingham and District Cricket League Division One table despite a 34-run defeat to Attock.

The visitors were bowled out for 188 at North End Lane as Arsalaan Mahmood scored 57 for Attock.

The Worcestershire duo of Alex Hepburn (4-56) and George Rhodes (3-52) took the bulk of the wickets for Green.

After the hosts crumbled to 5-3, Dannie Rees (41), Rhodes (36) and Phil Harris (34) inspired a recovery to 123-4 but none of the other batsmen reached double figures as they crumbled to 154 all out.

The closest finish was at Orleton Park, in a match reduced to 40 overs per side, where Wellington finished on 142-7 in reply to Brockhampton’s 144-6.

Joe Crichard (54) and Senuran Muthusamy (48) shared a stand of 102 for the fourth wicket for a Brockhampton side without Jamie McIlroy, who was involved in a car accident on the way to the game.

Bhargav Merai (40) and Wendell Wagner (34 not out) put Wellington into a promising position but Callum Stewart (3-25) struck late on to save the game for the visitors.

Worcestershire’s Alexei Kervezee (42) and Lewis Cordes (42) joint top scored in an inconsistent batting performance by Bromsgrove, who were 192 all out against Moseley with Usman Awan picking up 4-60.

However, the home side’s innings suffered from losing wickets at regular intervals after they had reached 42 without loss.

They were eventually all out for 129 as Mark Evenson (3-16), Ash Newfield (3-25) and Alex Wilkinson (3-31) combined to see them to a 63-run defeat.

There was a welcome first victory of the season for Old Hill at home to Bridgnorth but they were made to work hard for it by Worcestershire’s Charlie Morris, who took 6-27.