BEWDLEY clinched a thrilling 24-point Worcestershire League victory over Romsley and Hunnington with two wickets and five balls to spare.

Mark Bennett hit the first ball of the last over for four and kept the town at the top of Division Two.

But all had seemed lost for Bewdley when they were 18-3 in the ninth over, chasing a large 265-run target.

Simon Mauger and Craig Allen stepped in to put on 78 in 15 overs with the latter scoring 53 at a run-a-minute.

When Mauger (20) fell to an lbw decision with the scoreboard on 101, the home team appeared to be in trouble again.

But Paul Edwards (83) produced the innings of the match, dominating a stand of 98 in 45 minutes with Bennett (66 not out) who then took command.

Supported by Charlie Combes in a 41-run eight-wicket stand and then Mike Harris, Bennett finished the game off.

Romsley earlier suffered a mini-collapse to 115-4 before G Pickering smashed 107 runs of the next 126 to help set up the large target.

Simon Mauger bowled well despite the onslaught to pick up 5-60, while Bennett and Allen both took two wickets.

Romsley and Hunnington 264, Bewdley 265-8.

Bewdley seconds cruised to a comfortable seven-wicket victory at Romsley after asking the home side to bat first.

Mark Edwards (6-29) brought about a wicket collapse with only S Treadwell (38) putting up much resistance as they were dismissed for 108 in the 30th over.

Bewdley began well, thanks largely to extras, before losing their openers with the score in the 40s.

Andy Robinson (36 not out) and Andy Halkon took them to the brink of victory which was reached in the 16th over.

Romsley and Hunnington 108, Bewdley 2nds 111-3.

In a friendly draw on Sunday, Bewdley regretted inserting their Malvern visitors as D Arnold (54) and R Caughtrie (41) scored 105 for the first wicket.

Tom Rosamon's off-spin broke the partnership and he deserved his 3-56 return.

M Arnold (50 not out) dominated the later batting and Malvern declared at 234-7.

Bewdley's reply opened with a 95-run partnership by debutant Peter Davis (37) and Gareth Lewis (62).

Lewis was dismissed with the score on 105 but there were not enough overs left for Derek Moses (38 not out) and David Mills (46 not out).

Malvern 234-7, Bewdley 200-2.