WEST Malvern lost some ground in their Worcestershire Cricket League Division Five title bid.

The villagers are still only 32 points off leaders Lye seconds in third position but a six-wicket home loss to second-placed Chaddesley Corbett seconds could prove costly.

West amassed 252-8 with the bat thanks to Stephen Smith (56), Will Lloyd (45), Rowan Dakin (31 not out) and Adrian Walker (29).

But Chaddesley chased down the sizeable target with 253-4 within 44 overs.

Malvern are fifth after a five-wicket win over basement boys Feckenham seconds but have some way to go to catch the leading pack.

Anthony Arnold’s 65 guided Malvern to a victorious 199-5 in reply to 195 all out when David Cox claimed 4-22.

Tom Fairclough took 2-41 and Lewis Hill 2-34 as Feckenham were bowled out in 48.3 overs.

Malvern won in 41.1 overs with Arnold’s efforts backed up by Ian Alley (32), Kieran Smith (24), Cox (24) and Hill (23no).

Worcester Nomads seconds saw off Droitwich Spa seconds by 72 runs after bowling them out for 176 in reply to 248.

Jack Elston was run out for 69 for Nomads with Derek Austin and Ben Beazley both adding 38.

Paddy Moyle then starred with the ball, taking 5-40 from 10 overs.

Hanley Castle and Upton were bowled out for 107 in a 109-run defeat to Claverley who had opened with 216-9.

Edward Platts claimed 3-47 for Hanley but the top score in reply was only Rory Mathews’ 28. Worcester Nomads firsts were dragged closer to Division One relegation trouble with a 179-run beating at home to Droitwich Spa firsts.

The win lifted second-from-bottom Spa to within 31 points of Nomads who were skittled for 70 with Matt Gurr taking 4-22.

Droitwich were bowled out too but set a challenging 249 with Stephen Emson taking 3-23 and Nickolas Jones 3-43.

Bromyard kept on the edge of the promotion pack in fourth with a six-wicket win over mid-table Belbroughton.

The town side chased down a total of 235-5 with 239-4 guided by Rob Willis’ 99.

Eastnor beat Halesowen thirds in Division Four by three wickets thanks to a reply of 152-7 to 148-9 with Ian Milton scoring 52.