IT PROVED a topsy-turvy two days at The Bottoms where Pershore were twice handed tough run chases.

Saturday's Worcestershire County League clash with old foes Droitwich saw them fall 37 runs short in pursuit of the visiting side's 240-9 but, Bromsgrove's 236-6 24 hours later, was within Pershore's capabilities as the hosts registered a four-wicket Clubs League triumph.

Luke Dalley and Leon Botha both took three scalps on Saturday but skipper Trevor Ridings may have regretted his decision to insert Droitwich particularly when strike bowler Martin Johnson pulled a muscle.

An opening stand of 67 proved the perfect platform but both Botha and Dalley went for five an over as the visitors piled on the runs.

Lee Wilks (59) helped Stephen Cooper add 83 for the second wicket and lay the foundation for a successful run chase.

Awesome power

Botha's arrival at the crease inevitably upped the tempo as the reply fell behind the required rate but not even the South African's awesome power could blast Pershore to the winning line.

Botha perished trying to force the pace having scored 37 and it was left to Liam Ridings, with an unbeaten 44, to steer the home side to maximum batting points.

Title contenders Bromsgrove rattled up a daunting 236-6 from their 45 overs the next day with Duffy hitting an unbeaten century.

Dalley and Botha again shone with the ball while the former's explosive start - 34 in the opening five overs - gave Pershore the ideal start.

However, the Springbok fell to a superb catch having hit six 4s and a 6 but Sam Howell (38) and Trevor Ridings (41) maintained the momentum.

The middle order faltered slightly and, with the scores standing at 170-5, the match appeared to be slipping away. But, Lea Hawkes, who thrashed an unbeaten 60 was given solid support by Steve Meers as the target was reached with four wickets and more than two overs to spare.

It was a similar story from the second team camp where a Sunday win followed a losing league draw.

Droitwich amassed a formidable 278-8 in Saturday's league clash with only Steve Emsley, 4-40 from 13 overs, taking any credit with the ball.

However, fine knocks from Meers (31), Hawkes (75), Ben Bales (57), Stu Evans (56) ensured a respectable reply of 240-9 although it was left to young brothers Michael and Stuart Doust to bat out for a draw after five wickets were lost for 25 runs.

Bales grabbed fine figures of 5-13 from seven overs as Bro-msgrove were swept aside the next afternoon.

Four wickets for Emsley provided fine support as the hosts were shot out for a meagre 78.

Bales then completed an excellent all-round display with an unbeaten 48 as Pershore eased to a nine-wicket win in just 11.1 overs.

Worcestershire League

Division One

P W L D A Pts

Old Elizabethans 11 9 0 1 1 210

Pedmore 11 6 2 1 2 159

Pershore 11 4 2 5 0 145

Chaddesley Cor 11 3 3 4 1 128

Bromyard 11 1 3 5 2 119

Netherton 11 3 4 1 3 118

Droitwich Spa 11 4 5 2 0 117

Ombersley 11 3 3 4 1 116

Luctonians 11 2 4 4 1 98

Hagley 11 1 3 6 1 96

Romsley & Hunn 11 2 7 0 2 93