WORCESTER’S fine run of Worcestershire Cricket League Division One victories was ended when they played host to title-chasing Pershore.

Having been inserted, Worcester had looked out of the game at stages, but battled hard to earn a losing draw. Jack Horton and Oliver Peppiatt (both 25) once again provided a solid platform, but they both fell as the score went from 51-0 to 60-4 either side of a short rain delay.

When young Bryn Evans joined Simon Keyte, Worcester were reeling at 87-5 with Lee Wilks (3-56) the chief destroyer, but the pair set about repairing the damage in a solid partnership of 108 before Keyte fell for a classy 66.

Keyte’s dismissal to Luke Dalley was the start of a hat-trick for the returning Pershore bowler (3-55), but Evans finished on an important unbeaten 52, while Adam Rimell (16no) added some late runs as the score reached 216-8.

The Pershore reply began well for the visitors as Dave White and Tim Smith both stood firm in reaching 90-0 in 26 overs.

However, overseas bowler Jeff Case (3-33) and wicketkeeper Peppiatt combined to bring about three stumpings, including White (56) and Smith (51) in quick succession.

This brought Pershore captain Chris Ridings to the crease and he looked to be taking his side to victory, however, the introduction of Rimell (3-39) saw wickets fall.

As Andy Robertson returned and dismissed Ridings (40) and Aly Duddell, Pershore had fallen to 207-9 requiring 10 to win from the final five deliveries. Unwilling to risk defeat, they settled for a winning draw.