COOKLEY achieved their first "double" of the season in the County League Division Two with both teams recording narrow victories.
It was the first time the A team had won this season - at the ninth attempt - and their 24-point haul moved them off the bottom of the table.
The villagers posted a total of 194-9 at Lea Lane with a number of players contributing useful runs and Pedmore finished just short, all out for 177 thanks some economical bowling by Andy Parker (4-37).
Scores: Cookley 1st 194-9, Pedmore 1st 177.
It was a far more tense affair for the second team at Pedmore, however, before they recorded their second win in three weeks with victory in the final over.
A lengthy spell from the ever-reliable Simon Anderson (4-107) and the spin of wily Brian Davies (5-84) helped dismiss the home side for 220 which was likely to prove a stern test for the villagers in view of recent form.
But after a steady start by openers Ben Quinlan and Gavin Brown, Adam Matthews (45), playing for the Seconds after a recent spell in the first team, joined Brown and their stand put Cookley in the box seat.
Brown continued to provide the anchor role, going on to bat all through for an unbeaten 94, but it was Warren Berry who hit the winning runs to give the visitors a four-wicket victory in the last over.
Scores: Pedmore 2nd 220, Cookley 2nd 223-6.
Kidderminster Victoria
KVCC suffered an eight-wicket defeat against Coombs Wood in their Division Two encounter.
Playing at home, Chris Baldwin gave KVCC a solid start with 33 at a rate of five an over. Then runs became hard to get and they were bowled out for 76.
Tony Burkes took a Coombs Wood wicket in the second over and Andy Cavendish claimed the second.
Scores: KVCC 75, Coombs Wood 76-2.
Table-toppers KVCC clinched an eight-wicket win over Droitwich in Division Six.
Droitwich won the toss and elected to bat on the same track that yielded nearly 600 runs the week before.
Opening KVCC bowlers Lee Daniels (3-33) and Matthew Brace (1-27) restricted the early order batsman to only 61 off the first 24 overs.
Daniels' accurate medium pace, with lift and movement, beat the bat time after time restricting the score and taking valuable early wickets.
Brace's 12 overs of off-spin was a delight with accuracy, turn and a developing spinner's guile which troubled the batsman throughout his spell.
Bowlers Dan Webb, Mike Wardle and Mike Kirby-Davies, accompanied by another outstanding fielding display, restricted Droitwich to only 184-9 off 45 overs.
In reply, Sadler 87no Mark Edwards 48 and Brace 28no comfortably knocked off the required runs in 34 overs.
Scores: Droitwich 184-9, KVCC 185-2.
Stourport
Stourport returned home from Worcester side Dominies and Guild with a winning draw in their Division Three match.
Stourport, who elected to bat after winning the toss, posted 265 all out in the 50th over to take 15 points, with Phil Williams contributing 90, Dave Cook 34, Ian Delo 23 and an invaluable 63 off 36 balls from Andy Platt. N Trigg took four wickets for Dominies.
In reply, the home side reached 224-8 and held on for the draw, receiving 10 points. I Wilks struck 50 and C Hart 51. Luke Martin was the most successful Stourport bowler, claiming three scalps.
Scores: Stourport 265, Dominies and Guild 224-8.
The Seconds' match was almost a reversal of the first team result, as it was Stourport who held on for a draw, taking just seven points to Dominies' 15.
Asked to bat first, Dominies put up a total of 264-4 in 45 overs, with K Ingram making 104no and A Clements 52.
In reply, Stourport lost the first wicket early. Then a fine second wicket partnership of 144 between Tom Gloster (81) and Bryan Colley (62) swung the match Stourport's way.
However, wickets began to fall and Stourport managed to hold on for a losing draw in D'Oliveira's final over, with just one wicket remaining. Kevin Haycock made 21 and M Gammon took three wickets for Dominies.
Scores: Dominies and Guild 264-4, Stourport 215-8.
Fixtures, Saturday: Stourport v Lye, Lye 2nd v Stourport 2nd (both 1.30pm).
Bewdley
Bewdley's visitors in the County League Division One, Brockhampton won the toss and their decision to bat on the excellent Lower Park wicket was soon justified, leading them to a winning draw.
Robert Combes' first over was punished as openers M Denny (129) and D Mokler (69) soon posted a 149 stand at a run a ball.
Jon Boult had the first success, but was soon hit out of the attack when A Hewlett (29) joined Denny. A smart stumping by Cyril Ramsey off Tom Baylis removed Hewlett, but this only brought in M Ali, who hit a brisk 39 as the fielding wilted in the heat.
Denny too was wilting, and the likely 350 total did not materialise as the return of Combes and Boult for the final seven overs brought a clutch of wickets, thanks to good outfield catches, particularly by Baylis and Ben Jones.
Combes ended with 3-58 and Boult 3-77, giving Bewdley three bowling points.
Chasing 315, Bewdley did not get the start they needed, as Matt Boden was dismissed for a "duck". With Boult playing the anchor role, Paul Beard demonstrated his superb form with a speedy 59, seeing off the lively Ali. When Beard was bowled, Simon Smith (21) continued to strike boundaries until he fell to Ali's safe hands at deep square at 147.
The return of Ali removed Bewdley's inexperienced middle order, but Boult held things together and was only out, stumped for 88 in the final over, in a vain attempt to get more than the four batting points.
Scores: Brockhampton 314-7, Bewdley 226-8.
Bewdley Seconds' captain, Dave Jones, asked Brockhampton to bat on their home pitch, and the decision proved a wise one, as Bewdley won by four wickets.
Dean Wilkes took 2-59 in 16 overs with his medium-paced swingers, while N Townsend (59) and J Apperley (47) built a threatening third wicket stand.
Andy James claimed a couple of wickets as batsmen hit out to improve the scoring rate. The crucial move was the return of Scott Fowler to the attack, and in five overs he removed four of the remaining batsmen, for figures of 5-31, with good diving catches held by Robinson and Jones.
In reply, captain Jones and Martin Flack started the run chase with only 20 runs in the first 15 overs.
Runs began to come in earnest when Gareth Lewis joined Flack. Flack fell for a solid half century, but when Andy Robinson joined Lewis the result never looked in doubt.
Just before the end Lewis was out for a valuable 70, leaving Robinson 45no to hit off the remaining runs for a four-wicket victory and 20 points to Brockhampton's six.
Scores: Brockhampton 2nd 212, Bewdley 2nd 213-6.
Fixtures Saturday: Chaddesley Corbett v Bewdley, Bewdley 2nd v Chaddesley Corbett, Cavaliers v Colwall (all 1.30pm).
Sunday: Bewdley v Chaddesley Corbett, Astwood Bank v Bewdley 2nd (2pm); Bewdley U-14s v Kidderminster.
Cutnall Green
Once again Neil Fletcher led Cutnall Green to victory, this time a six-wicket win over Alveley in Division Four. Fletcher hit a superb 108, as his team moved into second place in the table.
Stone
Stone maintained their winning streak in Division Five with a one-wicket victory at home to Alvechurch.
Batting first, Alvechurch struggled against Stone's opening attack, and were 130-5 at one stage. Then a hard-hitting 95no by N Rudge enabled them to close at a respectable 219-6. Peter Durnell was the pick of Stone's bowlers, with 3-43.
Stone batted steadily, reaching 92-1 but with the departure of opener John Morley for 35 they lost five wickets for 43. Mike Brazier was out for a fine 60 and a stand of 49 between Durnell and Nick Powell put Stone in a strong position.
They then lost two wickets in one over, to set up an exciting finish. With 10 runs required, Powell (33no) and last man Brett Murphy, held their nerve to win with just one over left.
Scores: Alvechurch 219-6, Stone 220-9.
On Sunday, Stone visited Blakedown and were beaten by 60 runs in a friendly.
Batting first in hot conditions, Blakedown were struggling at 44-4, mainly due to the bowling of Fred Buxton 3-17. Then an excellent knock of 103no by Rob Chatwin took Blakedown to 207-7 at tea.
Stone never got to grips with the Blakedown attack, Richard Ward top scoring with 39.
Scores: Blakedown 207-7, Stone 148-9.
Chainwire
Badsey's last two batsmen, the Powell brothers, survived the final five overs to deny Chainwire their third consecutive Division Five victory at home, the hosts having to be content with a winning draw.
Chainwire elected to bat and openers Matt Davies (76) and Steve James (39) put on 129. The introduction of Badsey captain D Powell (4-46) and A Cowley (2-39) slowed the run rate and wickets began to fall.
A late flurry and some unconventional batting by Sam Beasley (35no) helped Chainwire to 214 and maximum batting points from their 45 overs.
In reply, Badsey were never in the hunt, thanks to a good opening spell from Beasley (4-48). Some stubborn batting form N Powell 41, Cowley 30 and J Paul 30, caused some problems, but James (2-25) and C Smith (2-23) reduced Badsey to 153-9 off 40 overs.
Victory was denied Chainwire by M Powell 24no and his brother S Powell, who managed to bat the final overs out for the draw, Chainwire taking 16 points, Badsey six.
Scores: Chainwire 214-6, Badsey 168-9.
Brintons
Brintons were beaten by three runs in their County Division Six match at Old Elizabethans.
Spencer Colley took four Elizabethans' wickets for 290, while for Brintons' Andy Maiden (51) and Lee Waldron (36) top scored.
Scores: Old Elizabethans 197, Brintons 194.
Results
Division One first teams: Chaddesley Corbett 203-6, Astwood Bank 199; Brockhampton 314-8, Bewdley 226-8.
Division One second teams: Brockhampton 212, Bewdley 213-4; Astwood Bank 228-8, Chaddesley Corbett 229-4.
Division Two first teams: Cookley 194-9, Pedmore 177; KVCC 148, Coombs Wood 151.
Division Two second teams: KVCC 75, Coombs Wood 76-2; Pedmore 220, Cookley 233-6.
Division Three first teams: Stourport 265, Worcester Dominies 224-8.
Division Three second teams: Worcester Dominines 264-4, Stourport 215-8.
Division Four first teams: Alveley 265-5, Cutnall Green 258-4.
Division Four second teams: Cutnall Green 224-6, Alveley 208.
Division Five: Cleobury Mortimer 150, Belbroughton 154-6; Chainwire 214-6, Badsey 168-9; Alvechurch 218-6, Stone 220-9.
Division Six: Droitwich Spa 184-9, KVCC 186-2; Old Elizabethans 197, Brintons 194.
Division Seven: Ombersley 177, Bewdley 118-9; Belbroughton 148, Chaddesley Corbett 151-2.
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