Cricket
Pershore denied promotion but 2nds may go up

PERSHORE once again did all they could in picking up maximum points in Saturday's thrilling two-run victory at Hagley, but the Worcestershire League Division One title went to Worcester Nomads.

The Bottoms outfit finished a huge 76 points clear of third placed Astwood Bank, but an agonising seven behind Nomads despite clinching their 12th league victory of the season.

However, Pershore 2nds may yet be celebrating a promotion of their own after they earned an eight-wicket victory over visitors and promotion rivals Stourport.

They finished third in Division Two 2nd XI and must now await the outcome of promotion matters from the first division before their promotion is confirmed.

After winning the toss at Hagley, Pershore captain Chris Ridings gave his side every chance by batting first.

As on several occasions this season, the batsmen failed to post a substantial score though and only David White (31), Chris Ayliffe (22) and Sam Cross (20) came to terms with the Hagley attack as Pershore's innings closed on 143, with Amjad Ali taking 4-46 for the hosts.

In their reply, Hagley were subjected to some frugal bowling by Luke Dalley and Tom Pilling, with only Ali - having a fine match - coming to terms with the situation.

Wickets continued to fall and, when Ali was dismissed for 45, some 36 runs were still needed.

Some lusty blows from Neil Hurst and Craig Bray pushed the score along and, with the last pair together, seven runs were needed.

A further boundary left three needed but Hurst, even though eight overs remained, attempted a big hit and Wilks - taking one of the best catches of the season - ensured Pershore won the game by two runs.

Dalley took 5-43 to be joint leading wicket-taker in the division and Lee Wilks claimed 3-43.

However, the victory was to no avail as news filtered through that Nomads had won their fixture against Coombs Wood by eight wickets to gain enough points to secure the title, leaving Pershore as runners-up for the second successive season.

Pershore 2nds went into their match needing a win over promotion rivals Stourport in order to gain possible promotion back to the first division for second Xl clubs.

After winning the toss Dave Jessop decided to bowl and, after an opening stand of 49 between Spencer Colley (33) and Phil Williams (42), the experience of Martin Johnson and Andy Hawes came through as both took three wickets and Jessop two.

The visitors' innings closed on 140 and Pershore accepted the challenge with relish.

After the early loss of Dean Brookes (16), Owen Harrison (53) and Stephen Meers put together a stand of 87 which put Pershore on the road to victory.

Aly Duddell (27no) joined Meers and a further stand of 34 saw Pershore to 144-2 with 20 overs to spare.

Meers finished with a solid 42 not out and Pershore now await their promotion fate.

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