SEAM bowler Martin Johnson exploited favourable conditions to the full as Pershore returned to winning Worcestershire County League ways at Astwood Bank last weekend.

Johnson was back to his mercurial best in recording magnificent figures of 9-56 from 24.1 overs as the hosts were skittled for 90 in pursuit of Pershore's 139-8.

Astwood never looked like reaching their target as Leon Botha tied up one end to leave Johnson to snaffle up a host of victims at the other.

Only Boycott with 34 reached double figures as his colleagues produced a series of loose shots that saw Phil Oxley take three catches and Liam Ridings two.

Botha's 14 overs cost the same number of runs while Luke Dalley denied Johnson the achievement of claiming all ten!

Home bowlers also made the most of the dampish track as both Pershore openers were back in the pavilion the opening four overs.

Oxley (17) and Botha (38) patiently set about rebuilding the innings but, at 32-4, the visitors were in deep trouble.

However, Ridings gave the South African all-rounder splendid support while Bozward (28) and Eversham (11) added useful runs down the order.

The Johnson-inspired 24 points lifted Pershore into joint second spot in the first division ahead of Saturday's clash with leaders Old Elizabethans.

The club's second string also encountered early problems and slumped to 17-3.

A partnership of 73 between Stu Evans (44) and Alan Davies (49) prompted a revival before good knocks from Les Wild, Mike Hickey and Steve Emsley lifted the final score to 178.

It was Emsley who proved almost unplayable with the ball as he grabbed 6-18 from 11.2 overs as Astwood Bank slumped to 120 all out.

Tom Bales was equally impressive in a dominant bowling display, claiming 3-15 from ten overs as Pershore win for the second successive Saturday.