IAN Bowkett played a prominent role with both bat and ball to help Tenbury overcome some sticky moments and force a 79-run win at Penlu to reclaim top spot in Division 4 of the Worcestershire County League.

They leap-frogged Stourbridge Social who suf fered a heavy defeat by Barnards Green, and received another bonus when third-placed Alveley were also held to a losing draw.

Tenbury lost the toss and looked to be in trouble when both openers perished cheaply.

Jay da Costa (27) scored freely to allow Bowkett to settle and then Karl Baker (27) took over and smashed three consecutive sixes off spinner Gary Dewinski.

From 120-3 off 20 overs, Tenbury collapsed to 135-8, including Bowkett soon after he passed 50, with Martyn Wassell (4-58) and Adam Lock (4-16) doing the damage. Aaron Morris (23) and last man Jack Farrar boosted the total up to 180.

Bowkett opened the bowling and saw keeper da Costa hold on to a sharp chance to give Tenbury the ideal start.

He followed up with a second wicket and then a runout to help rip the heart out of the Amblecote innings.

Aaron Mor ris (3-21) replaced Bowkett (2-33) in the attack and, along with Ed Corfield (4-40), wound up the visitors' innings, with number nine Wassell (22) making top score.

􀁥 Tenbury 2nd were held to a winning draw at Amblecote & Wollaston.

The home side ended up on 143-7, 41 runs short of Tenbury’s f irst innings total of 184-4.

Tenbury still head the table, 32 points clear of second-placed Barnards Green.

Chris Giles (64) and David Hunt (76no) totally dominated the Tenbury innings after the home side had taken two early wickets.

Stephen Giles (2-26) and Jim Yeomans made early inroads into the Amblecote reply, but the middle order all defended well to halt the Tenbury victory charge.

Richard Smith top-scored with 42 but any chances of forcing the win went when he was caught by Yeomans off Derek James. Ian Taylor took 2-35.