WORCESTER Nomads could not make the most of a slip-up by leaders Pershore in a rain-hit Worcestershire League Division One programme.

While the Vale side only claimed seven points from a losing draw at Droitwich, Nomads were held to a winning draw at Redditch.

The Bransford outfit picked up 14 points but are 45 behind Pershore with four games to play, including the Bank Holiday double-header.

Nomads host third-placed Droitwich on Saturday and visit bottom-of-the-table Bromyard on Monday (both 1pm) hoping to keep their outside title hopes alive.

Opener Sam Roberts scored 45 and David White 39 in their 176 all out against Redditch.

Despite two wickets each from Sean Butler, Innocent Kaia and Patrick O’Driscoll, Redditch survived on 138-9 from 40 overs in the rain-hit fixture.

Fifth-placed Colwall saw their home game with Hagley abandoned due to the late storms.

The Stowe Lane side scored 211 all out as opener Ben Butler scored 64 and wicketkeeper Ben Wheeler blasted two sixes in his 44.

Rain intervened with Hagley on 87-1 from 18.5 overs in reply.

Bromyard’s struggles continued with a four-wicket defeat to high-flying Bewdley at Flaggoners Green.

Ed Oliver’s 24 was the top score as the Herefordshire side were skittled for 105.

Bewdley got home within 22 overs but lost six wickets as former Sri Lankan international Dinusha Fernando took 4-40 from 11 overs.

The rain did not bring any respite for bottom-of-the-table Malvern, who lost to Worcester Dominies in Division Two, and failed to field a second team.

Dominies blasted 304-8 and then Malvern were dismissed for 136 in 38.4 overs.

Andrew Croft (3-51) and Dan Besgrove (3-38) had success with the ball, while Lewis Hill hit 38 with the bat.

Barnards Green thirds’ promotion hopes were handed a blow by local rivals Hanley Castle and Upton in Division Four.

The villagers scored 234-8 from 50 overs with Ollie Price hitting 51, Rory Mathews 49 and William Barrell 27.

Josh Phipps (3-34) and Lewis Hooper (3-66) were not given enough support with the ball.

But Green got away with a losing draw after scraping together 155-8 in a rain-affected match, leaving them level on points with second-placed Bromsgrove thirds.

Todd Mathews claimed 4-45 as Kevin Ratcliffe (27 not out) showed vital resilience as a number 10 batsman.

West Malvern’s Division Five promotion bid ended after only claiming 12 points from a rain-hit winning draw with Old Elizabethans thirds.

OEs were bowled out for 117 as the wickets were shared around but the weather struck with West on 103-2 from 25.1 overs. Steve Wright was on 38no.