STOURPORT are emerging as front runners in Worcestershire County League after a win against their closest rivals.

The division one first XI leaders beat second placed, local rivals Bewdley by five wickets at Walshes Meadow.

The win gives Stourport a 15 point lead at the top, 23 points clear of third placed Evesham who’s match against fifth placed Worcester was called off by the umpires.

Evesham's ground is unplayable so the match was moved to Bidford but the umpires deemed the outfield unfit and dangerous due to cracks caused by the hot weather.

Evesham stay third and Worcester fifth and still in the hunt for both title and more likely Premier League status next year.

Chaddesley will also be eyeing a spot in the top flight after the league is restructured next season after an undefeated century from Waqas Ahmed helped them to a seven-wicket win against Feckenham to stay in fourth place.

A Michael Stead half century helped Hagley to beat out-of-form Worcester Nomads.

Burghill compiled a huge first innings score of 326 to beat Cookley and Colwall won at Pedmore despite the efforts of the host's all-rounder Callum White (50 and 4-68).

In division two first XI the top three are separated by just 18 points .

Oldswinford beat Droitwich by a wide margin and stay nine points clear of second placed Coombs Wood who were victorious against Old Vigornians thanks to a century from ex-Worcestershire player Nathan Round.

Belbroughton remain third, a further nine points behind Coombs Wood, after cruising past Bredon at Hackman’s Gate Lane by one hundred and twenty eight runs.

Bromyard are in fourth but slipped off the pace following a disappointing performance at Flaggoners Green which allowed local rivals Bartestree to walk away with a six wicket win.

Elsewhere, Enville are now in sixth place and only seven points off fourth following a routine four wicket victory over lowly Kempsey and Alastair Pretty scored a round century as Himbleton beat basement side Wormelow by twenty six runs.

In division three first XI leaders Lye brushed aside Alvechurch & Hopwood by five wickets, Netherton beat Avoncroft to stay second thanks to a magnificent second innings undefeated 125 from Matthew Lowe and Rushwick were indebted to Paul Wyatt who replied to Matt Carver's first innings century for Malvern with a quick-fire second innings century of his own to set up a two wicket victory for third placed Rushwick despite a middle order collapse.

In other matches, Harborne leap-frogged Alvechurch into fourth after making it back to back wins as Ian Powick's first innings 71 helped them beat Five Ways Old Edwardians by just five runs on the road at the Masshouse.

Mark Bilbrough’s second innings 67 helped Bromsgrove chase down Martley's first innings total at the Hedges ground and secure the win and Hanley Castle and Upton's season brightened as Will St Leger-Chambers’ first innings 68 lead them to only their second win of the season against Eastnor.

The division four first XI title looks like it should be a race between three clubs now.

Siddhesh Chavans' 84 helped table toppers Halesowen to a 42 run win at home against Stourbridge, Romsley remain second and kept up the heat on the leaders as Adnan Wahid scored a fine first innings 98 to help see off fourth placed Claverley.

Astwood Bank lie in third, just six points behind second place and sixteen off top spot as Dave Price compiled a first innings 85 and Dennis Freeman took seven second innings wickets to secure a wide margin win against Tenbury.

Elsewhere in the division Himley's Luke Bradley scored 159 for the home team and Chris Parkes got 147 for the visitors Alveley however the plaudits must go to Alveley’s final wicket pair of Tom Guy (16 not out) and Archie Pugh (20 not out).

The pair held their nerve well to compile a vital last wicket partnership which lead their team to a dramatic one wicket victory with one ball to spare in a high scoring match.

In other matches, Fergus Neve scored 94 for West Malvern in the first innings to help post a total that proved too many for Stourport to chase despite 69 from Jim Cook.

In a low scoring match at Hallow, Kidderminster’s Mike Kirby-Davies took 5-11 in the second innings to guide the visitors home by twenty seven runs.