PERSHORE were the only Birmingham and District Premier Cricket League side from Worcestershire and Herefordshire to finish their match on a wet Saturday.

But the previously unbeaten Vale side fell to a six-wicket defeat at home to Handsworth, who took over at the top of Division Three by four points.

Promoted Pershore were dismissed for 164 in 48.1 overs as Charlie Norton top scored with 34.

After an opening stand of 40 between Adam Wiffen (27) and Liam Ridings (25), they found the going tough against Clement Smith, who took the first four wickets to fall at a personal cost of 36.

In response, Handsworth cruised to victory after Carbey Dawkins (89) and Renrick Hooper (54) opened up with a stand of 120.

Charlie Cross briefly interrupted their progress with 3-45 but he didn’t have enough runs to play with to cause any further damage.

Astwood Bank clattered 286-9 against Aston Manor with Steve Adshead (83) and Tom Pedley (72) leading the way.

Shaun Findlay took 5-64 for Manor, who had reached 73-3 from 18 overs when the match was abandoned.

Having dismissed Eastnor for 119 thanks to 3-19 from James Parker, 3-24 from Patrick Butler and 3-32 from Ross Aucott, Worfield had scored 15-1 from three overs when their visit to Herefordshire was ended.

Having dismissed Kidderminster for 142 in the Premier Division, Berkswell were frustrated when no further play was possible after they had reached 37-1 in 4.4 overs.

Nick James (3-14) and Tom Milnes (3-20) were the pick of the Berkswell bowlers and it took 42 from veteran Jonathan Wright to boost Kidderminster to a respectable total after they had slumped to 54-6.

In a match reduced to 43 overs per side after a late start, Barnt Green scored 215-8 from their allocation thanks to 67 from Will Baker.

Aaron Patel took 4-41 but the rain returned before Dartmouth could take guard.

Ombersley were steered to 149-9 from 48 overs by Chris Harwood, who hit 35 after coming to the wicket with the score on 82-6.

Mike Barnard’s 4-24 was the highlight for Shrewsbury but no more play was possible following the close of the Ombersley innings. Division One leaders Barnards Green dismissed Moseley for 149 in 41.5 overs with superb bowling from Alex Hepburn (5-38) and Blair Kingsland (4-10).

Ali Awan (33) top scored for Moseley, who looked as though they might be heading for defeat with the home side on 44-2 from 11.3 overs when the match was halted.

A superb 103 from Ash Newfield and an unbeaten 60 from Tom Hill were the highlights of Bromsgrove’s total of 237-6 from 49 overs at Himley but no further play was possible after tea.

Sutton Coldfield were indebted to Lee Thomason, who hit 55 in their total of 129 all out in 47.5 overs against Brockhampton, who had reached 57-3 from 16.2 overs when the rain had the last word.

Adam Hewlett took 3-19 for the Herefordshire side and then hit 24 from 25 balls in their reply. Old Elizabethans' Division Two match at Harborne was abandoned after their innings had finished on 245 all out in 44.5 overs.

A stand of 96 for the fifth wicket between Alex Pyecroft (66) and Jimmy Cliffford (51) stood out for Harborne, while OEs' Matt Davis took 3-35.

He was also responsible for the run-out of Karan Bharaj.