Cricket
Pershore move to the summit

Buy photos » Pershore's Luke Dalley on his way to an impressive 3-57 off 17 overs on Saturday. Photo by Marcus Mingins. 2412010MMR4.

PERSHORE gave another ominous warning to the rest of Worcestershire League Division One as they earned a fourth successive victory at Redditch on Saturday to move top of the table.

The visitors' eight-wicket win was never in doubt and means they now sit six points above second placed Astwood Bank heading into tomorrow's match against Coombs Wood at The Bottoms.

After winning the toss, skipper Chris Ridings asked the home side to bat on a greenish looking pitch and his bowlers took full advantage of the conditions in never giving the Redditch batsmen time to settle.

With Luke Dalley bowling with his usual pace and accuracy, the home side's batsmen never came to terms with a variable bounce and, after a stand of 40 between Dan Protherough (34) and Russell Southwick (27), Redditch lost five wickets in adding just eight runs.

After Lee Wilks came into the attack and blocked off one end, the hosts were never able to accelerate and their innings closed on a disappointing 158-7 from their allotted 50 overs.

Dalley finished with 3-57 off 17 overs.

In their reply, Pershore got away to a steady start but both openers were back in the pavilion with 56 on the board.

This brought together Rob Tidey - returning to the club after several years - and Ridings and, despite a couple of missed chances, they never really looked in serious trouble and put together a stand of 104 to see Pershore home with 12.2 overs to spare on 160-2.

Tidey finished unbeaten on 67 and Ridings on 44 as Pershore claimed 20 points.

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