EVESHAM kept alive their Worcestershire Cricket League Division One title hopes with a rain-affected eight-wicket win at lowly Pedmore.

The third-placed town side triumphed on a higher scoring rate to close to within 11 points of Stourport in second and 27 behind leaders Bewdley.

Evesham bowled out second-from-bottom Pedmore for 204 with Sadam Khan taking 5-58 from 10 overs.

James Crenan chipped in with 2-30 and skipper Mohammed Fahim Maan 2-43.

Number eight batsman Calum White added 47 for Pedmore after Dave Skelding scored 43 and Asif Iqbal 42.

Ali Shan (73 not out) and Fahim Maan (68no) were ahead of the required run-rate after opener Muhammad Saqib was dismissed for 31.

Evesham have a big game at home to Stourport on Saturday (1pm).

This weekend’s return to the win/lose/draw format where 24 points are on offer for a victory will make it interesting as there are at least eight teams with a competitive chance of the top five and potentially four chasing the title.

Evesham seconds lost by five wickets to Belbroughton in Division Two after managing a competitive 230-7.

Sajid Ali hit 86, Ghayas Uddin 52 and Nouman Zahoor 32 alongside 46 extras.

In First XI Division Two, Bredon fell to sixth after an eight-wicket defeat to leaders Coombs Wood.

They were skittled for 79 but it could have been even worse if not for late runs from Tim Mcvicker and Richard Bruce who both got 20.

Otherwise only Oliver Cox (12) got into double figures.

Former Worcestershire player Nathan Round took 4-10 before scoring 26no in the successful reply of 80-2 from 12.3 overs.

Bredon visit mid-table Enville on Saturday (1pm).

Fourth-from-bottom Pershore are now just 20 points ahead of Fordhouses in Birmingham League Division Two after losing to them by 109 runs.

The hosts were bowled out for 212 with Niall Cooper scoring 76 and Charlie Cross taking 4-61.

But Pershore slumped to 29-4 in reply and then 103 all out with Alex Clasen hitting 42 and their former player David Powles taking 6-19.

The seconds are bottom of Division One after an eight-wicket home defeat to Walsall.

They were bowled out for 96 as skipper Jonathan Stickler (22) top scored.

Dumbleton's home game with Westbury and District in West of England Premier League Prem Two Glos/Wilts was abandoned.

The visitors were dismissed for 192 with Daniel Holland claiming 3-62.

With Dumbleton on 36-1 from 12 overs in reply, the rain ended the contest.