HANLEY Castle and Upton climbed into Worcestershire League Division Four’s top two after an emphatic six-wicket win over rivals West Malvern at The Glebe.

Tony Hutchings was the star of the show as he finished with figures of 5-23 to see Hanley bowl West out for 86.

Nick Bentley (42) then scored the bulk of the runs as the home side ran out comfortable winners After winning the toss and electing to field, Matt Blatherwick-Hindmarsh and Kevin Gilbert faced the pace of Ollie Price and the prodigious inswing of George Barrell in contrasting fashion.

Price struck first as Blatherwick-Hindmarsh failed to control a pull and was superbly caught by Todd Matthews.

Kuperan Yoganathan had a single to his name when Barrell knocked over his off stump.

With Will Lloyd producing several well-time drives, his partnership with Gilbert (17) was starting to trouble the hosts.

But it was Hutchings who found a way through Gilbert’s defence and soon after he bowled Will Jones too.

Robin Lloyd fell in Hutchings’s next over, caught behind, but then Matt Penkoks gave the Wests some hope with a typical counter-attacking approach.

Hutchings brought about the dismissals of Penkoks, caught for 16 and Dom Weston (2) nicking a wide delivery to Grant Matthews Matt Hindmarsh was run out and when Lloyd (22) picked out Will St. Ledger-Chambers at long-off the innings was all but over.

Rowan Dakin (11) made a spirited attempt until he became Price’s (2-21) second scalp well caught at gully by Rory Matthews.

Looking to bounce back, Hindmarsh put in a fiery opening salvo that had Hanley openers Grant Matthews and Nick Bentley hopping around.

After being brought into the attack, Dakin found the edge of Matthews’ bat and Gammon completed the catch. The rain then came down with the score at 42-1 and after calculations were made, Hanley were set 45 for victory while West needed nine wickets.

In the first over after the resumption Rory Matthews (4) looked to get there as soon as possible but failed to keep out Hindmarsh’s full delivery and was bowled.

Dave Powell also attempted to bring the game to a speedy conclusion but he found Blatherwick-Hindmarsh at extra cover and was caught for a duck off Dakin.

Bentley meanwhile, had been steadily amassing runs and teasing the growing slip cordon. Barrell, fortunate to survive a lbw appeal, settled in and the victory target was brought within touching distance.

Dakin (3-15) delayed the inevitable when he yorked Bentley (42) before the Hanley victory was confirmed by Price (2 not out) soon after.

After suffering three defeats in their last four matches West have now slipped into fourth place.

They will be gunning for victory against struggling Old Elizabethans thirds at Mathon Court on Saturday (1pm) in a bid to keep up with the leading pack.

Hanley, meanwhile, will be looking to continue their fine form and maintain pressure on leaders Bromsgrove when they visit sixth-placed Halesowen on Saturday (1pm).