PERSHORE slipped one point behind the Worcestershire Cricket League Division One leaders despite a fine six-wicket win at Belbroughton.

The title race hotted up as Colwall leapt above the Vale side with a maximum 24-point haul from a two-wicket success over fellow high-fliers Pedmore.

Second-placed Pershore collected 20 and are level with Worcester, who also won.

Pershore, who host Bromyard on Saturday (1pm), dismissed Belbroughton for 123 in 40.1 overs with Andrew Robertson taking 3-26 and Luke Dalley 3-25.

They reached their target in 23.3 overs for the loss of four wickets with opener Liam Ridings scoring 33 before Robertson (27 not out) and Sean Jenkins (22no) saw them home.

Improving Evesham stuttered with a losing draw at home to Hagley as they held on with 223-9 in reply to 241 all out.

Masharraf Shazad (5-64) and Mohammed Fahim Maan (2-37) took the wickets before the latter hit 85 runs with Sajjad Khan (27no) clinging onto the draw.

Winless Harvington, who host Evesham on Saturday (1pm), are 19 points off safety but had a losing draw at Droitwich. They countered with 203-8 in reply to 273-6 as Jayden Lennox hit 52.

In Division Three, fourth-placed Bredon thrashed leaders Harborne by 106 runs after setting 266 all out and then dismissing the visitors for 160.

Skipper Clive Fenney top-scored with 90 alongside efforts from Tim McVicker (46) and Martyn Draper (44), while Richard Bruce claimed 4-41.

Birlingham beat Division Six leaders Canon Frome by five runs and are two points behind.

In Second XI Division One, Evesham fielded just seven men in a 168-run defeat at Hagley, managing 254-6 in reply to 422-5. Khizar Khan blasted 123.

Phil Oxley scored 81 for Pershore in a Division Two winning draw with Alvechurch and Hopwood.

Division Three leaders Bredon crashed by 176 runs at Harvington, whose openers George Clayton (71) and Elliot Thompson (53) shone.

Meanwhile, Broadway are third in the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division, 46 points behind leaders Shipston-on-Stour, after a 10-run win over second-placed Leamington thirds.

Mid-table Bretforton lost to Wellesbourne by three wickets and Elmley Castle remained bottom after an eight-wicket defeat at Long Itchington.