A FOUR-WICKET win at relegation rivals Birlingham threw Victoria and Blakeley Hall a Worcestershire Saturday League Division Three lifeline.

Second-from-bottom Victoria are within touching distance of the village club and Alveley after beating the 205 set at the weekend.

The home side lost five wickets in their allotted 50 overs to Kevin Amos (3-49) and David Bannister (2-47).

R Drake (62) and M Downes (44) were the main run scorers but Victoria skipper David Mitchell set the tone in reply with 47, including nine boundaries.

Mitchell's opening partner Kelvin Barrett was on 27 when he was run out then Alex Roden (26) and James Rine (25) kept the momentum going.

A seventh-wicket partnership between Glyn Thomas (27 not out) and 16-year-old Paul Brookes (32 not out) saw Victoria to victory with four wickets and 5.5 overs to spare.

Dave Barber (5-64) did his best to keep Birlingham in the match.

Birlingham 205-5, Victoria and Blakeley Hall 206-6.

The seconds were in action at Hoobrook but came up against a confident Birlingham who won by 58 runs.

Birlingham totalled 150-8 with wickets for Bob Webb (3-22) and his son Dan (3-56).

Steve Yarsley bowled well for his one wicket and again David Wardle acquitted himself well behind the stumps, taking one excellent catch.

The more experienced visitors bowled Victoria out for 92 with five overs left despite 23 runs from Andrew Burns.

Birlingham 150-8, Victoria and Blakeley Hall 2nds 92.