EVESHAM maintained their place in Worcestershire League Division One’s top three with a narrow 23-run victory over Colwall.

With Evesham’s pitch deemed unfit due to the recent drought Colwall agreed to stage the match at Ghost Meadow.

But they were unable to make home advantage count as Evesham’s middle-order resistance proved to be the difference.

The visitors chose to bat on a firm pitch but struggled early on as they were reduced to 42-3 from 14 overs with Mike Gooch taking two wickets.

Leg-spinner James Wagstaffe then came on to concede just 23 runs from his 10 overs but runs came freely at the other end.

Ali Asghar (54) and Wajahat Chohan (42) put on 105 for the third wicket before Nick Brown removed both batsmen.

At 161-5 with ten overs left, Colwall were hopeful of a decisive breakthrough, but Ali Shah (30) and Mohammed Fahim Maan (28) added 52 for the sixth wicket.

A flurry of runs in the closing overs saw Evesham close on 249-9.

In reply, Colwall made a strong start with Fergus Cameron and Joe Blight scoring 65 in 18 overs before the former was bowled by Chohan for 21.

Blight (51) was then caught before Brown (26) and Ben Febery (21) were run out and trapped lbw respectively.

Fahim Maan (2-51) dismissed Ben Cooke (19) and Jack Hughes (0) to put Evesham in the driving seat.

Peter Recorden reached an unbeaten 22, but once Dan Brierley (12) was bowled by Adnan Sagheer (2-49) Colwall just ran out of overs, closing on 226-9.

Evesham visit lowly Pedmore on Saturday (1pm).

Bredon were victorious at Droitwich Spa as they claimed a 17-run victory in Division Two.

After winning the toss Spa reduced their opponents to 19-3 and 149-9 before Martin Hill’s 75 in a last-wicket partnership saw Bredon reach 191.

The hosts then slipped to 56-6 in reply before gallant tail-end resistance threatened to pull off an unlikely victory.

Last man Joe Smith and Dave Stephens added 26 runs for the final wicket before the former was caught behind for a spirited 21.

Fifth-placed Bredon host leaders Coombs Wood on Saturday (1pm).