REDDITCH enjoyed a dream day in Division One 1st XI as they pulled 45 points clear at the top of the table.

Whilst Ghulum Moyhuddin’s 5-40 was securing victory for the table toppers against lowly Pedmore, title challengers Worcester, Cookley and Bewdley were all fluffing their lines.

Worcester seem to have hit the wall at the wrong time of the season as they went down at home to Eastnor, second placed Cookley lost on their travels to Burghill as they could not reach the home team's imposing first innings total of 246 thanks to half centuries from Ben Morgan and Toby Wildig.

Bewdley were bowled out for a meagre 117 at bottom club Droitwich as Jake Young and Ian Davies took four wickets each to gain Droitwich’s first win of the season, too little, too late, but impressive nonetheless.

Elsewhere, Stourport climbed into fifth spot after overcoming Feckenham at home and Hagley kept their outside title hopes alive after defeating Colwall to climb into joint fourth.

In Division Two 1st XI Edd Oliver inspired a return to form for Bromyard’s batsmen, following last week’s dismal 45 all out, by scoring an undefeated 83 to help chase down high flying Bredon’s impressive first innings total of 297 which, as a result, allowed Evesham and Chaddesley to create a little breathing space at the top as they both won away from home. Leaders Evesham strolled to a comfortable five wickets victory on the road at Coombs Wood and Waqas Ahmed (89) ensured second placed Chaddesley cruised to an impressive nine wickets victory at Wormelow.

In other matches, Belbroughton kept their outside chances of promotion alive with a tight 13 run win at bottom of the table Harborne, Enville climbed in to fifth following victory at Oldswinford who remain close to the relegation zone and Old Vigornians climbed four places after Dave Haddock’s haul of 4-34 secured an important win against Lye, which keeps Lye involved in the battle to avoid relegation.

In Division Three 1st XI, all bets are off for promotion as Himbleton and Kempsey now look to be unstoppable as both teams flexed their batting muscles to put Rushwick and Avoncroft to the sword, respectively.

Leaders Himbleton maintained their five point lead at the top thanks to an excellent run chase which saw them breeze past Rushwick’s first innings total of 281.

Captain Chris Jones (88) led the way and on his welcome return from a nasty head injury Sam O’Neill continued where he left off with an undefeated 68 to guide the leaders home by eight wickets.

Second placed Kempsey also showed their class with the bat as Stuart Dickenson (98) and Jamie Alford (78) inspired them to a formidable first innings total of 334-7 which secured a comfortable 72 run victory against Avoncroft despite 84 from Matt Hare in response.

Bartestree and Lugwardine and Netherton ensured a clean sweep for the top four clubs and kept their slim promotion hopes alive with victories at Himley and at home to Malvern respectively.

At the foot of the table, Martley’s win against Astwood Bank ensures a four club battle against relegation at least as the East Worcestershire club were reluctantly drawn into the fight thanks to 4-24 from Mark Johnson and in the other match in the division Five Ways climbed into fifth spot with a big win over Alvechurch & Hopwood. In Division Four 1st XI performance of the day came from Tony Hutchings, as his destructive 6-18 spell against table toppers Bromsgrove, ensured that second placed Hanley Castle, won the battle of the top two to open up the title race again.

Five teams will now think they have a chance of lifting the title, as outsiders West Malvern and Tenbury took full advantage of the leaders slip up, to drag themselves back into the title race.

Matthew Blatherwick-Hindmarsh made 95 for West Malvern which produced a narrow 23 run victory at home to last week’s third placed club Claverley, and 71 from Keir Sellars ensured Tenbury re-joined the race as they secured victory over Hallow.

Elsewhere a fine 98 from J Ashton ensured Old Elizabethans remain bottom, Kidderminster beat Alveley and Worcester were thrashed by Stourport thanks in large part to a fine all round display from Alex Cook who made 119 and took 4-16. With just two matches remaining in Division Five 1st XI, Stourbridge managed to breathe life into the title race with a solid 24 point win at Romsley & Hunnington, as leaders Barnt Green, could only muster a winning draw away to Pershore despite a fine 102 from Aman Hussain.

Only twelve points separate the top two which means the final week of August 26 will be huge for both clubs as they chase the title.

In other matches in the division, Old Hill outclassed Harborne to remain in third place, Oldswinford secured a winning draw against bottom club Enville and Droitwich achieved a winning draw against Redditch.