DROITWICH were pushed closer to an exit from Worcestershire County League Division One after they lost their basement battle with Pedmore by eight-wickets in a rain-affected encounter.
Winless Spa remain rooted to the bottom of the table following their defeat at St Peter’s Fields but they are now 62 points adrift of safety with just eight games to go.
The hosts slumped to 65-7 and, despite an eight-wicket partnership of 60 between the experienced pair of Paul Bryan (45) and Phil Thomas (20) as well as some late order resistance, only managed to post a total of 152.
After a rain delay, Pedmore successfully chased down their revised target of 86 in nine overs for the loss of two wickets with three balls to spare.
Just seven points separates the top three sides in Division Two Second XI as the Seconds maintained their promotion push with a comfortable seven-wicket win at Lye.
Spinners Dave Stephens and Martin Woodward claimed 4-30 and 3-22 respectively as the hosts were shot out for 96.
Dave Huntbatch continued his fine run of form with nine fours in a quickfire 43 as Spa took just 17.4 overs to secure maximum points.
The Thirds collected a second successive Division Five victory with a 71-run success over Harborne in which 14-year-old Matt Gurr shined with bat and ball.
Following Adam Shaw’s 43 and 31 from Lewis Keen, the youngster contributed a vital 37 not out as Spa posted 195-7.
Set a target of 160 from 31 overs after the weather intervened, Harborne capitulated for 89 all out as Gurr grabbed 4-4 from five overs.
Gurr was emulated by Jacey Foster, who collected 5-28 in the reverse fixture for the Fourths in Division Five Second XI.
Chasing 190, father and son Tom and Joe Goss batted Droitwich to a seven-wicket win with unbeaten scores of 63 and 60 respectively.
On Saturday the Firsts travel to championship-chasing Redditch, the Seconds are at home to Netherton, while Old Hill provide the opposition for the Thirds and Fourths.
