Indoor league is still proving a big hit

The league is now in its fourth decade and comes under the umbrella of the Worcestershire Cricket Board.

Swindon, Cookley, Enville, Pedmore, Hagley and Oldswinford are slugging it out for glory this season and a chance to progress into the regional and national rounds of the competition that ends with a final at Lord's.

WCB indoor cricket organiser John Iggulden oversees the smooth running of the league and is keen to expand the number of teams.

"The league has been running since the 80s and is still proving popular," he said. "But we would welcome more sides."

"It gives players the chance to play through the winter and there is also the chance to play in the national competition.

"We have six clubs competing this season with Enville fielding an A and B team.

"We are part of the Worcestershire set up with teams competing in four regions. The winners of each region then play off for the chance to progress into the national rounds and hopefully all the way to a final at Lord's.

"The game is closer to traditional cricket rules than the Australian version that's played in indoor nets."

The games are six-a-side 12-over affairs with bowlers restricted to a maximum of three overs. Batsmen retire at 25 although they can comeback when all the wickets have fallen and it's last man stands.

The latest round of matches this season's competition saw comfortable wins for Enville A and Pedmore.

Enville eased to victory over Swindon with nine balls to spare.

Lee Passmore (26 not out) and Dave Silcox (25 not out) helped Swindon post 96-2 in the face of some impressive bowling.

Enville got off to a bad start losing Rhodri Parfitt in the first over, but Spencer Mann (27 not out), Matt Branch (26 not out) and Paul Clark (24 not out) saw their side home in the 10 over.

Pedmore turned on the power to sweep Cookley aside by 96 runs.

Dave Skelding was the star of the show for Pedmore with an unbeaten 49 in their total of 160-3.

Matt Porter (39 not out) and Paul Taylor (27 not out) offered valuable support.

Cookley started cautiously and it was soon evident that the challenging total was out of their reach. John Stanaway top scored with 18 not out as they made 64-2.