WORCESTER gave themselves a timely boost with a fine display and a winning draw against Birmingham & District Cricket League Division One high-flyers Harborne.

Worcester were asked to bat first on a good pitch and Daryl Mitchell and Iain McLaren got them off to a good start putting on 40 for the first wicket.

When Mitchell was bowled for 11, Dan McKay came in to continue his recent good form and added valuable runs with McLaren before McLaren was bowled by a full pitch ball from Errol Simms for a fine 43.

Paul Jones and Murray Ranger both made 32 and McKay held the innings together with a sound 40. With some lusty hitting from Adam Bunks (31) the innings closed on 211-8 in 55 overs.

Leg spinner Steve Moreton was Harborne's best bowler with 4-83. Harborne replied steadily in their quest for the runs but Worcester managed to drop Simon Gear three times to allow him to make 68.

At one stage Harborne looked like threatening to win at 105-2 off 31 overs, but with the introduction of leg spinner James Wagstaff the balance tilted heavily in favour of Worcester as he ripped out the middle order grabbing 5-68.

However, Harborne found themselves at 150-9 with 10 overs to go but Simms and Mark Lewis held out for a draw at 160-9 off 55 overs.

Paul Jones also bowled well to take 3-34, as Worcester claimed 13 points to Harborne's seven.

Worcester seconds suffered a surprise six-wicket defeat when they visited Bridgnorth in Division Two West.

Put in to bat, Worcester made a modest 175 all out in the final over thanks to Richard Gardiner (29), Dom Cook (35) and Luke Bolton (34), as Ian Baldin took 3-28 for the home side.

Bridgnorth found batting easy and strode to 178-54 in the 41st over, with Ian Gregory making an aggressive 73. Worcester seconds took three points to Bridgnorth's 20.