COLWALL moved a step closer to the Worcestershire Cricket League Division One title with a crushing 173-run victory at relegation-threatened Worcester Nomads.

Put into bat in ideal conditions, Colwall made a solid start with Ben Cooke (22) and Fergus Cameron (15) compiling 43 in 12 overs before both men were caught in successive overs.

That brought Ben Febery in to join Andy Robertson and they doubled the total before the latter was caught for 15.

But Febery was well into his stride and with support from Ali Pearce (29) took the total to 175 before he was fifth out having hit nine fours in his fluent 57.

Ben Wheeler kept the momentum going with two sixes in a powerful 27 and the tail added useful runs before Colwall were all out for 225 in the 48th over.

Harvey Groves (3-30), Guy Davies (2-30) and Josh Hawes (2-14) proved the most successful home bowlers.

Nomads never got going in reply as pacemen Dan Newby and Robertson each took a wicket in their first over.

From 19-4 the Bransford side plunged to 32-7 and 52 all out in the 23rd over with only Jack Elston (11) reaching double figures.

Newby finished with 4-26 from nine overs and Robertson 4-19 from 11 before Luke Dalley came on to settle the issue with two wickets in 15 deliveries.

It leaves Colwall 18 points clear of their rivals with three games left.

At Stowe Lane, Colwall seconds moved three places up the table and 16 points clear of the Division Five relegation zone.

They enjoyed a decisive nine-wicket win over bottom side Feckenham seconds who were skittled out for just 48 after being asked to bat.

Tied down by the accurate Eddie Hill and Harry Evans, Feckenham reached 27-1 before the rot set in.

Evans ripped through the middle order to finish with 5-25 from 14 overs and the tail folded to the spin of Matt Morgan (4-8).

Colwall lost opener Idris Mohammed cheaply in reply but John Card (24 not out) saw them home in the 10th over.

A much-depleted thirds team bowled and fielded well but failed dismally with the bat as they went down by 134 runs at Ross-on-Wye in Marches League Division Two.

Ross elected to bat in sweltering conditions but slumped to 29-3 with two wickets for Alex Chopping and one for Sam Lipton before they added 64 for the fourth wicket.

Ewan Buttle took a fine catch off Chris Horne while Dick Tugwell (3-28) and the returning Lipton (4-23) polished off the innings on 174 in the 42nd over.

Colwall never got going in reply with six failing to score and only Harry Sigley (11) reached double figures in a total of 40 all out.