WORCESTER secured a vital home victory over Penkridge to ease their worries near the bottom of Division Three.

Saturday's clash at The Gordon Jones Memorial ground was important for both sides who are stuggling in the competition.

Worcester won the toss and took full advantage of the overcast conditions as Waddington Mwayenga claimed the first three wickets on the board for only 30 runs.

Blissenden and Brown helped to put on a 50-run partnership for Penkridge before Liam Weston came on and removed the former for 19 with the score on 83-4.

James Wagstaff, introduced into the attack, soon had Penkridge in trouble, taking 3-30.

Mwayenga came back for his second spell to knock off the tail, finishing with his best figures so far this season of 6-33. Penkridge finished on 124 all out.

In reply, Worcester lost Mark Chambers early on with 14 on the board.

But Andy Mason and Richard Gardiner started to take control of the innings with a 50-run partnership.

Gardiner being clean bowled without playing a shot brought James Carter to the wicket to score a stylish 39 not out.

Carter was assisted by Mason (33) and Matt Foster (18) to make sure of no slip-ups. Worcester won by six wickets in 36.3 overs to take 20 points.

Worcester moved above Saturday's opponents Penkridge and Whitchurch in the table to fourth-from-bottom due to the weekend win.

Penkridge 124 all out, Worcester 127-4.

Worcester Seconds travelled to Penkridge in a high-scoring Division Two defeat which yielded four points.

Penkridge managed a daunting 263-2 with Griffiths (142 not out) and Jones (93) the top scorers.

Worcester got off to a steady start with Dan Tarver and Luke Bolton scoring 20 apiece.

But they then lost four quick wickets before Ashley Brown's 100 and 55 from Chris Franklin put Worcester back in the game.

Gareth Bannister added 20 at the end of the innings but he could not help his side to victory with Worcester finishing 14 runs short of the total.

Penkridge 263-2, Worcester 250 all out.