THE Worcestershire County League defeated the holders of the trophy, the Notts Cricket Board Premier League in the semi-final of the Midlands Club Cricket Conference Inter League Knock Out at Old Elizabethans last Wednesday.

Notts having won the toss elected to bat. After struggling in the first 12 overs to 56 they accelerated through to 138-1 at 30 overs and with the help of some dropped catches by Worcestershire scored at eight per over in the last 15 to finish on a formidable 263-6.

The pick of the Worcestershire bowling was Nigel Davenport (Netherton) 2-39 from nine overs, Steve May (Old Elizabethans) 1-36 from nine and Nick Hitchings (Bromyard) 3-54 from eight overs.

Worcestershire began their reply with a solid foundation from Ashley Bullock (Bromyard) and Ian Duggan (Droitwich Spa) with 22 and 21 respectively followed by Andy Law (Oldswinford) with 44 and Nigel Davenport (22) who took the score to 143 at 30 overs leaving the home side with the daunting task of scoring at over eight an over for the last 15 overs.

Barry Clements (Evesham) and captain Kevin Truswell (Chaddesley Corbett) took up the challenge with gusto and quick singles were interspersed with boundaries as the score mounted to 179-4 with 10 overs to go.

With 85 runs required, Truswell was out in the 40th over for 29 off 33 balls, Clements by this time had his 50. Now with five overs to go and 39 runs required Darren Freeman (Pedmore) strode to the wicket and proceeded to take the Notts bowling apart.

With a six and a four off consecutive balls and 16 off the 43rd over Freeman raced to a glorious 27no out off 13 balls. Fittingly it was Clements, whose 73no off 53 balls had underpinned the Worcestershire run chase, who scored the winning boundary off the first ball of the 44th over to cap a magnificent batting performance.

The final will be held on Friday, August 16 at Kidderminster CC with an 11.30am start.