CHADDESLEY Corbett continue to set the pace in the Premier Division as a fine undefeated first innings century from Bilal Hassan (103*) followed by a solid all round bowling performance ensured maximum points at Lower Park against Bewdley.

Redditch moved in to second position after Waqas Ali’s first innings 5-52 led them to a comfortable victory against Evesham at home, Naqaash Tahir took his 18th wicket in three matches in his second innings return of 5-45 but still could not inspire Old Hill to their first victory of the season as Astwood Bank found a way to fall over the line by one wicket at Haden Hill to move into third.

Pershore enjoyed an impressive win against Stourport at the Bottoms where Alex Clasen’s classy first innings 67 helped them out of a sticky position and enabled the home side to post what proved to be a match winning score after their bowling unit gelled to dismiss the visitors twenty-nine runs short of the required total.

In the other matches Luke Deeprose produced the performance of the day as his inspired first innings 8-28 (including a hat trick) put bottom club Feckenham to the sword at Norton Barracks and Jujhar Johal amassed a fantastic 141 at the Memorial Ground for Stourbridge against Old Elizabethans which earned his team a maximum point winning draw as home Captain Alex Bastable dug in to score a spirited 76 in the second innings despite the best efforts of Jitesh Jivan-Patel who took 5-31.

Just one win separates second from 10th, it’s going to be a tight fight throughout the season as most teams have shown they are capable of beating each other so far.

Colwall are setting the pace In Division One as Captain Ben Cooke posted a brilliant first innings 125 and Andrew Robertson followed up by taking 5-65 in the second innings as they made it two from two by overcoming strongly fancied Hagley at Hagley Park. Worcester Nomads ensured they have also started strongly as they lie in second position after they made the trip to St. Peter’s Field and came away with a maximum points win after a solid team performance against Droitwich Spa.

After their tie last week Bromyard moved into third after securing a maximum point winning draw at Belbroughton where Pete Hawk frustrated the visitors with a stubborn undefeated 75 in the second innings at Hackmans Gate Lane.

Elsewhere, Dave Skelding took a fine second innings 7-36 to inspire Pedmore to their first win of the season in the keenly contested local derby against Oldswinford at Albemarle Road, Bredon found form to gain their first win of the season when they travelled to Burghill and came away with a hard earned three wicket victory and what looked to be an evenly balanced contest between Coombs Wood and Cookley fell foul to the elements in the second innings with the match very much in the balance.