BRAVE Bewdley crept to a two-wicket victory over leaders Evesham with 11 balls to spare.

Steve Odell (33) and Mark Edwards (20) helped them reach their target of 113 in a low-scoring encounter at Lower Park.

Evesham struggled to 36-4 in 19 overs as Mark Edwards and Jason Taylor (2-24) took two wickets each.

Irvine and Horn tried to rebuild the innings but Mark Bennett struck back with 3-31 then Cadwallader stood firm while Edwards (5-50) ran through his partners on returning from injury.

Evesham's opening bowling, off-spinner Jones, soon had Bewdley in trouble as he increased his haul to 20 wickets in the last four matches.

Only captain Simon Smith played him confidently but when he fell for 19 runs at 35-5 and was followed quickly by Charlie Combes, it did not look good for the home side.

But Odell took part in two 35-run partnerships, the first dominated by Edwards, before he was supported by Chris Allen.

Odell fell two short of the victory target but Allen and Mark Hudson soon knocked those off, needing four of the extra overs they gained.

Evesham 112, Bewdley 113-8.

Bewdley won the second team fixture more decisively by nine wickets after putting Evesham into bat.

Skipper David Jones (5-19) encouraged a wicket collapse after the home side started well.

Once dangerman Charlton (39) had been run out by Andy James' brilliant fielding, there was no recovery.

Bewdley's reply was dominated by Paul Edwards (74 not out) whose partners were out-scored by extras.

Peter Mauger contributed 13 in an opening stand of 85 and Bewdley romped home in the 25th over, leaving Evesham point-less.

Evesham 106, Bewdley 2nds 107-1.

Fixtures, Saturday: Worcester Nomads v Bewdley 1sts, 2nds v Worcester Nomads, Old Elizabethans v Cavaliers (all 2pm).

Fixtures, Sunday: Beaumont v 1sts (2pm).