BEWDLEY Cricket Club came out on top in Wyre Forest's match of the day as home side Cookley went down by 117 runs in Division Two of the Worcestershire County Cricket League.

Bewdley were put into bat by the hosts and found conditions difficult early on, losing both openers with just 26 on the board.

However, this brought Charles Combes to join acting-skipper Simon Smith at the crease for an 87-run partnership, dominated by Smith who was particularly severe on the bowlers.

David Meek then assisted in a 74-run partnership for the fourth wicket and Smith was eventually out for a run-a-minute 105 which included 12 fours and six sixes.

Bewdley declared on 213-6 with four overs to spare but these overs were never going to be needed once Scott Fowler and Nick Hunter reduced the home side to 19-5.

After some resistance John Peer whittled away three more wickets before Fowler returned to polish off the tailenders with 21 tovers to spare as Cookley were skittled for 96.

Bewdley 213-6 dec (24 points) (Simon Smith 105, David Meek 38no, Charles Combes 24, Adam Sellick 3-52, Ian Goodman 2-55), Cookley 96 (2) (Scott Fowler 5-30, John Peer 3-26, Nick Hunter 2-14).

Bewdley 2nd v Cookley - Cookley won by six runs.

The visitors clinched victory in the final over in an entertaining encounter.

Cookley made a steady start with 36 on the board but Mark Guest's bowling spell put the brakes on the innings.

He brought about a collapse as they slumped to 58-4.

Richard Matthews and Gary Moore led a recovery, despite John Goodreds' efforts with a 17-over spell.

When Mark Venross joined Guest in the attack, the wickets began to fall again and Guest ended the innings in the final over as Cookley were all out for 145.

In reply, Bewdley's batsmen also found progress difficult and struggled to 41-4.

Andy Hartley then hit out and dominated a partnership with David Mills which more than doubled the score.

After Hartley took one chance too many with Dave Tupman's off-spin, the innings went into rapid decline to 101-8 with eight overs left.

Guest joined Venross and, after his bowling efforts, hit out to great effect.

With two overs left 12 were still needed when Venross was bowled, but Guest did not give up until he had run out Goodreds in the last over.

Cookley 145 (24) (Gary Moore 28, Williams 27, Mark Guest 6-44, Mark Venross 2-33), Bewdley 139 (5) (Andy Hartley 28, Mark Guest 23no, Dave Tupman 4-29, Rhodes 2-32, Darren Wood 2-32).

Worcester Nomads v Cavaliers - match abandoned as ground unfit for play.

Fixtures

Saturday: 1st home v Eastnor, (2nd away v Eastnor, Cavaliers home v Old Elizabethans (all 1pm start).

Sunday: 1st home v Evesham, 2nd home v Evesham (both 2pm).