WORCESTER'S Paul Symmonds and Andrew Mason played through the pain barrier to earn their side a losing draw at home to Beacon in the Birmingham Cricket League Division Three.

The pair were both suffering with broken fingers but still managed to bat out the final few overs to stave off defeat.

Worcester reached 173-9 in reply to Beacon's 259-6 to pick up six points from their opening Division Three match.

Worcester put Beacon into bat on a good wicket and got off to a good start by claiming Lawley in the fourth over.

Turkich, scoring 86, and Smith with 65 then put on 150 as the visitors pulled away.

James Wagstaff and Mason tried to contain Beacon, Wagstaff taking 3-85 off 21 overs and Mason 2-70 off 16 overs.

Swan's 45 not out later in the innings helped boost Beacon's total to 259.

Worcester's reply began well with an opening partnership of 70 by Chambers and Dan Tarver before Chambers was dismissed for 35.

Skipper Dan McKay hit 39 to help the hosts into a good position at 141-1.

However, McKay and Tarver (65) were dismissed in consecutive overs and Worcester lost momentum.

Beacon man-of-the-match Turkich took 7-39 and almost earned Beacon victory but Symmonds and Mason held on at the end to get Worcester a losing draw.

n The Seconds defeated Cannock by four wickets in Division Two.

Struggled

Cannock posted 133-9 and Worcester needed 41 overs to wrap up victory.

Cannock struggled against the accurate bowling of Phil Gartland (3-18) and Ikhlaq (2-23). Bryan Clarke also took 2-36 bowling into a strong wind.

Bell (22) and Fleet (24 not out) were the main contributors in Cannock's 133.

Powerful Alan Levy hit 57, including 10 fours, in Worcester's reply.

The visitors began to lose wickets regularly and were struggling until captain Dormston Cook steadied the innings with an unbeaten knock of 44 to see Worcester home.