In the Premier Division leaders Pershore 1st XI made it two wins from two in the Win/Lose/Draw format but didn’t have things all their own way at the Memorial Ground as Old Elizabethans 1st XI threatened to upset the apple cart with a positive start which saw their two opening batsmen Tom Goodwin (70) and Elliott Bartlett (51) post an opening partnership of (121). However, following the dismissal of Bartlett, Goodwin followed shortly after and the visitors began to turn the tide as only Sam Hughes (56*) offered any real threat for the home team in the final third of the innings which ended on a respectable (226-7) a total that proved too few as Chris Miles (66*) and Liam Ridings (50) helped the South Worcestershire outfit home to a three wicket victory with just over two overs to spare   

Stourport-on-Severn 1st XI kept up with the pace as they claimed a win of their own against visiting Colwall 1st XI for whom Ben Cooke (73) and Robert Cook (62) played well in the first innings to set a decent total (229-7) which again proved too few on a good surface at Walshes Meadow as Charlie Foley (62) and the evergreen Ted Bayliss (54) answered the call in the second innings to help see them home.

Aamir Manzoor (7-30) answered the call for Old Hill 1st XI as they moved in to third place with a maximum points win after he demolished Ombersley 2nd XI with an excellent second innings return after Tom Wilde (7-68) had helped bowl the home side out for a gettable total (219) at Haden Hill. Stourbridge 1st XI are just five points behind in fifth place after Jujhar Johal’s (79) second innings contribution saw the Glassboys home to a four wicket win against Astwood Bank 1st XI at Sambourne Lane, whilst elsewhere Martyn Davies (6-80 & 83) produced the all-round performance of the day in Droitwich Spa 1st XIs three wicket victory against Bromyard 1st XI for whom Rob Willis (111) and Nick Leighton (100) had both posted first innings centuries in the first innings at Flagonners Green and Redditch 1st XI dismissed Brockhampton 1st XI cheaply in the second innings at Bromsgrove Road to stay in touch in mid-division.

In the Division One Ikram Mussadaq (6-51) ensured Chaddesley Corbett 1st XI remained unbeaten as his first innings haul helped dismiss Kidderminster 2nd XI for a total that was never going to be enough at Chester Road. Brant Green 2nd XI continued their recent return to form with an excellent five wicket win on the road at Lye 1st XI who dropped to fourth place as Worcester Nomads 1st XI took the opportunity of moving up one to third after beating Hagley 1st XI by a nine wicket margin at Whitegates Farm largely thanks to Rowan Upton’s (5-26) first innings efforts.

In other matches in the division, Alex Chappell (6-49) made light work of Oldswinford 1st XI in the first innings to help Coombs Wood 1st XI go in to fifth place with a ten wicket win at Stewarts Road. Scott Jones (101) helped Halesowen 2nd XI to a welcome winning draw against Pedmore 1st XI at Seth Somers Park and Worcester 1st XI enjoyed their first maximum points win of the season against Bewdley 1st XI at Lower Park which moved them out of the bottom two at the expense of Kidderminster 2nd XI.

After a rain delayed start Burghill, Tillington & Weobley 1st XI got the better of Himley 2nd XI in the Division Two top of the table clash which was rain reduced to thirty eight overs. After batting first, the visitors posted a total that proved too many for the home team to chase as they were forced to settle for a losing draw which keeps them one point ahead of their opponents at the top.

Harborne 3rd XI continued their excellent showing in the higher division with a winning draw against Alvechurch & Hopwood 1st XI that moved them in to third place just four points out of the promotion places, Michael Wyres (7-33) dismantled Bartestree & Lugwardine 1st XI in the second innings to help Bromsgrove 2nd XI move in to fourth place a further five points behind.

Elsewhere, Astwood Bank 1st XI enjoyed a maximum points win at Harrow Lane against Himbleton 1st XI which keeps them in contention in fifth. Enville 1st XI were another team who gained a maximum points win by beating Bredon 1st XI by seventeen runs at Enville Hall and finally Paul Thomas (84*) proved to be the class act on the day at Hackmans Gate Lane when his second innings contribution led Cookley 1st XI home to a five wicket win against Belbroughton 1st XI who are now just one point clear of the drop zone.

In Division Three Mohammad Zahid (6-51) restricted Netherton 1st XI to a gettable first innings total, but a sound second innings team bowling performance from the table toppers saw them dismiss Redditch CC 2nd XI cheaply to win by over one hundred runs at Highbridge Road. This win keeps the Black Country outfit twenty-four points clear of Stourbridge CC 2nd XI who beat bottom of the table Coombs Wood 2nd XI by nine wickets at the War Memorial Ground to move second at the expense of Barnards Green 2nd XI who had to settle for a losing draw at home to Old Elizabethans 2nd XI when they  finished just three runs short of victory, eight wickets down when the overs ran out in the second innings.

Avoncroft 1st XI are in fourth position after continuing their turn around in form with a comprehensive winning draw at the Kings School against Old Vigornians 1st XI. Quality contributions from Yasir Mehmood (5-43) and Luke Jackson (97*) helped Feckenham 1st XI get back on the winning trail as they proved to be the main protagonists in the East Worcestershire outfits seven wicket victory against visiting Old Hill 2nd XI at Mill Lane and finally Martley 1st XI sealed an important forty seven run win against Brockhampton 2nd XI at the Jewry Field that helped them climb out of the bottom two at the expense of Old Vigornians 1st XI.

In Division Four Noman Waqar (177), Arslan Iqbal (82) and Basim Ishaq (52) helped Netherton 2nd XI pour on the pain against West Malvern 1st XI as they compiled he score of the day (449-6) in the first innings at Mahon Farm. However, the home team decided wisely to bat through the second innings and not chase the total and in doing so reduced the points difference by gaining a losing draw which could not prevent them from losing top spot but limited the damage to ensure they stay just one point behind when it could have been more.

Lawrence Neill (92) helped the in-form Stourport-on-Severn 2nd XI move in to third place just six points behind the promotion places when his second innings contribution helped drive his team to a comfortable seven wicket win against Chaddesley Corbett 2nd XI at Longmore. Claverley 1st XI come next despite being on the wrong end of a sixty-eight run maximum points win for Five Ways Old Edwardians 1st XI.  Lye 2nd XIs powerful batting line up posted over three hundred again in the first innings in a one hundred run win against Eastnor 1st XI at Clenchers Mill Lane. Romsley & Hunnington 1st XI beat Worcester 2nd XI at Norton Barracks by seven wickets and Jamie Oliver (117) posted his second century of the season to help Rushwick 1st XI gain a winning draw against Bromsgrove 3rd XI at the Alf Tolley Memorial Ground.

The competition in each division looks fierce at the moment with a number of teams in contention in each division which bodes well for the remainder of the season.