PERSHORE continued their climb up the Worcestershire Clubs Sunday League table when they visited Barnt Green and won an exciting match by one run.

With Leon Botha opening the innings, Pershore needed a substantial score on an excellent wicket but after the loss of two early wickets, Rob Handley (34) proved to be an excellent partner for Botha and the pair added 109 in just over 20 overs.

After Handley's dismissal, Botha was joined by Wilks and their stand realised 49 to push the Pershore score past 200.

Botha, after scoring yet another century, perished in his quest for quick runs but Wilks and Lea Hawkes were able to advance the visitor's score to 232-4 from their 45 overs, Wilks finishing on 41 not out to support Botha's 114.

Barnt Green, made unspectacular progress against tight Pershore bowling and at 152-7 the visitors appeared to have the match under control but skipper Edwards had other ideas set about punishing the Pershore attack to the extent the Birmingham league side added 69 in the next nine overs to leave them needing 13 from the last over.

Edwards was dismissed on the fifth ball and the last batsman, needing a boundary from the last ball, was not able to beat Liam Ridings at deep mid off.

The weather was the only winner when Pershore entertained Luctonians in a Worcestershire County League Division One game at The Bottoms on Saturday with both teams fighting for third spot in the league.

After winning the toss, skipper Trevor Ridings had no hesitation in asking the visitors to bat and Luctonians slumped to 34-5 after 23 overs.

Phil Oxley ripped apart the visitors middle order with four wickets for no runs in a four-over burst. Runs came slowly for the next 25 overs but the visitors managed to scrape together 98 and set Pershore a target on a difficult wicket. Oxley ended with5-16 and Leon Botha mopped up the tail.

After a tea break extended to just over 60 minutes, Pershore soon reached 21 but three wickets fell in quick succession and the home side were struggling at 28-3, requiring another 71 runs from 23 overs but another heavy storm brought the match to a premature end.

Pershore seconds looked set for victory in their Sunday league match against Barnt Green but lost out in a dramatic final over when they lost two wickets to fall short by three runs.

Barnt Green made 196, featuring a superb bowling performance from 14-year-old Tom Bales who took 4-12 off nine overs.

Pershore were well in command at 106-2 thanks to Steve Meers (37) and Ben Bales (34).

At 180-6 with Luke Evesham going well it looked all over but Evesham was dismissed for 40 at 193-8 and Pershore lost their last two wickets, including a run out, in the final over to fall frustratingly short.

Pershre lost their Saturday league match by 88 runs after Luctonians amassed 250 in 49 overs, a score which might have been even bigger but for a tight spell of 2-32 off 10 over by Steve Emsley.

Pershore were always in difficulty in their reply and only the experienced Les Wild (38) and young Tom Bales (17) showing much resistance. They were bowled out for 162 with young Mike Hickery adding 25.