WORCESTER kept up their push for a return to the Birmingham League for the first time in a decade after beating the wet weather to open what could prove to be a decisive 34-point gap over Pershore at the top of Worcestershire League Division One.

Liam Weston’s side defeated Hagley by six wickets on a day when more than 50 per cent of matches across all divisions failed to start.

Pershore, despite Liam Ridings taking his league-leading runs tally to 750 for the season, were held to a losing draw by a spirited Harvington, refusing to give in to what had looked like looming relegation.

Colwall slipped from third to fifth after a losing draw at Worcester Nomads, who have jumped to the head of the chasing pack but are 40 points behind Pershore.

For Nomads, Ryan Tongue scored a century as the home side made 261-5 in 42 overs, only to reduce their opponents to nine wickets down for the second week running.

Pedmore and Belbroughton are fourth and seventh after their matches against Redditch and Evesham respectively fell victim to the weather.

Bromyard’s fortunes continued to improve with a hundred from Ash Bullock in a winning draw over Droitwich to lift themselves off the foot of the table, five points above Evesham.

Burghill continue to march towards promotion in Division Two after beating Feckenham by 134 runs thanks to 111 not out by Ed Symonds and 7-54 from Ben George.

They are now 30 points ahead of Bewdley, who beat Enville by six wickets, and 65 in front of third-placed Worcester Dominies, with the top two going up.

Dominies managed a winning draw at home to Coombs Wood, who remain 10th and 34 points above the relegation zone.

The top three teams in Division Three – Harborne, Stourport and Bredon – were all rained off, allowing Netherton to close the gap by winning at Ross. Avoncroft, in fifth, also took advantage as they won at Tenbury by one wicket despite Alex Mason taking 7-74 for the home side.

Bartestree and Lugwardine beat Five Ways Old Edwardians by 61 runs and are now 47 points ahead of Kidderminster at the top of Division Four.

Nick Frith’s 96 spurred them on but Marcus Ashcroft played his part by taking 7-60 when Five Ways batted.

Kidderminster climbed to second after securing a winning draw at Bromsgrove with James Williams scoring 105 not out.

Rain could not deny Kempsey’s promotion push in Division Five as they swept aside fourth-placed Astwood Bank by seven wickets with 92 from Liaqat Hussain.

Barnards Green kept the pressure on the leaders with a three-wicket win at third-placed Hanley Castle.

Stourport beat Old Elizabethans by 26 runs thanks to 6-58 from Matt Pearson.