BEWDLEY managed to pick up 13 valuable points following an enthralling winning draw with Worcester CC.

Heavy overnight rain immediately reduced the game to 44 overs per side when Worcester opted to bat first.

Martyn Carr and James Marsh both bowled long and probing spells with the new ball and were able to subdue Worcester’s powerful batting line-up, Carr claimed 3-39 picking up valuable wickets, while Marsh (0-45) was unlucky to finish up wicketless.

Instead it was Jack Mills, with 4-36, who caused all the damage to Worcester’s middle order with none of their batsmen scoring more than 25.

However, a minor flurry at the end of their innings took them to a challenging 171-8.

A shower during Worcester’s innings meant Bewdley’s reply was further reduced to 36 overs.

By now, a large and supportive crowd had gathered as part of Bewdley’s 70th anniversary celebrations but saw their team’s reply get off to a slow start as Worcester tied them down with some accurate bowling.

It soon became apparent that Bewdley’s ambitions would have to be limited to reaching 142, the target for an eight-point winning draw — but at 70-4 with 12 overs remaining, even that objective seemed a long way off.

Wicketkeeper Rob Combes (17) injected some urgency into a partnership of 24 with Charlie Eastoe.

Number eight Luke Groves then struck two enormous sixes and a four in a brief innings of 18, which changed the whole momentum of the match.

Groves and Eastoe (43) both fell in quick succession and at 124-8, Mills and Carr still had much to do when they came together with defeat still a real possibility.

Mills (14 not out) too struck a six and Carr (6no) glided an important four as Bewdley, much to the delight of the crowed, reached their rain-reduced target of 143-8 with just one ball to spare.

Bewdley look to build on this performance when they visit Pedmore on Saturday (1pm start).