AT the hallway stage things couldn’t be tighter in Division One 1st XI.

Fourth-placed Chaddesley upset the applecart as they travelled to leaders Stourport and left with maximum points thanks to Mohammed Sajid (146) and 70 from Bilal Hassan.

The leaders' demise helped a few teams take advantage and close the gap at the top, notably second-placed Bewdley who closed the gap to seven points as they posted over three hundred in the first innings against Worcester Nomads to secure a win thanks largely to Robbie Combes (118) and Matthew Cowdery (76).

In-form Evesham are now only a win off top spot after they beat Hagley comfortably at home thanks to a first innings 85 from Muhammad Saqib and 4-35 in the second from Mohammed Fahim Maan.

In other matches Worcester also remain within striking distance despite being beaten at Colwall by 44 runs.

Basement side Burghill grabbed their second win of the season as Ben Owens (80) led them to a victory chasing Feckenham’s first innings total and Mark Bennett (82) and Paul Thomas (73) inspired Cookley to victory at Pedmore chasing over three hundred in the second innings after Taine Mitchell (98) had led Pedmore to a very good score.

In Division Two 1st XI last week's leaders Bredon were beaten at home by third-placed Oldswinford in a tight run chase.

Chasing a first innings total of 233 (thanks largely to Tom Blunts 84) the home side fell just three runs short as they were dismissed for 230.

This allowed Bromyard to regain top spot after Ed Oliver (106) and Nick Leighton (91) posted a magnificent opening partnership of 210 against Kempsey to guide the home team to their biggest ever win in the WCL.

Belbroughton climbed back into fourth as Peter Hawk (84*), Ryan Price (81) and Ross Parker (73) led them to a huge first innings 372-5 which proved far too many for Old Vigornians who finished over two hundred runs behind at the close, Coombs Wood slipped to fifth as they were dismissed in the first innings for 119 by Enville who then went on to win by seven wickets.

Elsewhere, Bartestree won the battle of the Herefordshire based clubs as Keiran Smith (75) and Andy Jones (55) enabled them to post a first innings total which proved to be too many for Wormelow to chase and Droitwich Spa batted excellently in the second innings to chase down Himbletons first innings 248 for the loss of only two wickets and move into six spot, just twenty seven points off the summit.

In Division Three 1st XI Waqas Ahmed (4-33) ensured Lye remain top as he helped the home side restrict visitors Harborne to a meagre first innings 152 for which Lye’s batsman led by Nadeem Hussain (89) made mincemeat of to win by nine wickets in just over twelve overs.

Over six hundred and fifty runs were scored at Alvechurch where the home side marched in to second position as Edd Rodgers (162*) and Matt Hayward (137) ensured the home team ended up on the right side of the balance sheet after inspiring them to 407-5 in the first innings, a total that proved well out of the reach of basement side Malvern to chase despite a fine half century from 15-year-old Oliver Hallion in response.

Rushwick slipped to third place after losing away at Eastnor by two wickets in a tight fought game, Netherton are fourth after Conor Warby (4-34) inspired them to a nine wicket victory at second from bottom Hanley Castle & Upton.

Elsewhere, Martley remain in mid table after losing by one wicket in what must have been a gripping contest at Avoncroft where over six hundred runs were scored and nineteen wickets fell and lowly Bromsgrove grabbed only their second victory of the season by chasing down Five Ways Old Edwardians Dave Potter (101*) inspired first innings 335-4 to win by six wickets thanks to half centuries from Tom Smith (77), Harry Smith (70) and David Collins (59*).

In Division Four 1st XI long time table toppers Halesowen were defeated for the second week in a row and knocked off top spot as they went down at Earls High School to a spirited Alveley side who chased down the 240 victory target set by the home team to win by two wickets.

The leaders demise presented Romsley with the opportunity to go top which they accepted gratefully as Steve Treadwell posted a first innings (64) and a second innings return of (5-31) from Luke Miley inspired them to a forty-one run victory against Kidderminster.

In other matches, third-placed Astwood Bank beat Stourbridge by two wickets thanks largely to Dan Thomas first innings (5-23), Claverley beat Stourport by six wickets thanks to and undefeated second innings half century from Nadeem Ahmad, Tenbury Wells followed up last weeks victory against Halesowen with another win this time on the road at Hallow Taverners where they won by four wickets and Adrian Walker (68) and Stephen Smith (51) laid the foundations for West Malvern to beat Himley by 96 runs.

Six points now separate the top three with the chasing pack close at hand.

It’s close in all divisions with still plenty to play for in the second half of the season.