Burghill’s surprise victory boosts their league standings significantly.

Burghill, Tillington, and Weobley distanced themselves from the Worcestershire County League Division One relegation zone with a 53-run victory against Droitwich Spa.

On an overcast day, Burghill were unsurprisingly put in to bat, and Tyler Garrard lost an early wicket. However, Jack Stockdale (29) and teenager Theo Darke (24) cautiously took the score to 63 before both fell quickly. Another quick wicket left Burghill in trouble at 76-4.

Captain Barney Morgan and Sabil Sarmad (28) began the recovery with a careful 87-run partnership, bringing the score to 163 before Sarmad fell trying to up the run rate. With wickets in hand, Morgan entertained the home crowd with a flurry of shots, racing to a century in 87 balls with 13 fours and 4 sixes. Mohammed Hassan (29 not out) added a quick cameo. Burghill scored 102 runs in the last 10 overs, finishing at 245-6 after 50 overs, a remarkable recovery from 76-4 at drinks.

Droitwich, second in the table and eyeing promotion, started their chase confidently. Opening bowlers Reece Thomas (2-57) and John Lewis (1-37) made early inroads, but at 98-3, the game was evenly poised. Mohammed Hassan and Ranjit William then took over the bowling, stifling the scoring and taking wickets. The key moment came when Max Young was caught by Stockdale in the slips for 40 off William’s bowling. Despite a late struggle, Hassan bowled his best spell of the season, with figures of 4-13 off 12.4 overs, sealing the win in the 48th over.

Meanwhile, Bartestree & Lugwardine firsts hosted Worcester, aware of the challenge against the second-top team and their prolific overseas player. A strong 99-run partnership between Ryan Trattell (52) and Ed Milner (36) set up the hosts’ innings, but a collapse saw them go from 167-3 to 167-8, with Worcester’s Luke Deeprose taking 6-9. Worcester chased down the target, finishing at 182-6 off 38.1 overs, with Owen Beynon (2-8) being Bartestree’s best bowler.

In the Premier Division, Brockhampton was beaten by 45 runs at Lye, and Bromyard suffered a losing draw at Worcester Nomads.