HARVINGTON beat the weather to record their first Worcestershire Cricket League Division One win of the season with a dramatic Vale derby success.

They beat rivals Evesham by five wickets on the last ball and climbed off the foot of the table.

Harvington, promoted from Division Two last season, are now second from bottom, just four points away from Redditch and moving out of the relegation zone. Evesham are a further four points ahead of Redditch.

Evesham, who have been hit by a 15-point deduction after their second XI failed to fulfil a fixture, were restricted to 186-9.

Openers Ali Asghar (32) and Ahmer Shah (39) started well but only Mohammed Fahim Maan (34) and James Crenan (23) added much more to the total.

Jayden Lennox (4-40) starred with Ben Hawker and Lee Ross taking two wickets each. Harvington lost several early wickets in reply but opener Dave Waters (60) produced a crucial innings before Jaimen Rudd (57 not out) and Andre Delport (36no) guided them home in 42 overs.

Meanwhile, Pershore returned to the top of the Division One table on a rain-hit weekend.

They gained an 11-point winning draw against basement boys Bromyard after ending up one run short off three fewer overs.

Bromyard recovered from 68-5 to post 174-6 with Martin Johnson taking 2-27 and Lee Wilks 2-59, before Pershore were rocking on 145-8 in reply.

But Wilks (48no) steered them to 173-8 to go three points in front of second-placed Worcester. Liam Ridings earlier scored 31 and Ullrich Boshoff 26.

In Division Three, Bredon suffered an 80-run defeat to third-placed Netherton and are fifth.

The 29 extras given away by the hosts proved to be top-scorer for Bredon, who were dismissed for 135 in reply to 215-7.

Birlingham lead Division Six by 17 points after a 48-run win over Rushwick thirds when Mike Sloan top-scored with 81.

Steve Buffin smashed 151 for Bredon seconds in a Division Three winning draw with Malvern.

Joe Nishigaki took 4-13 in a seven-wicket win for second-placed Evesham thirds at Harborne sixths in Division Eight.

Meanwhile, Bretforton stunned high-flying Leamington thirds with a two-wicket win and moved up to fourth in the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division.

Division One leaders Bidford-on-Avon saw off Norton Lindsey by five wickets.