PERSHORE defeated Lye in Saturday's run feast at The Bottoms in Worcestershire County League Division One.

Home skipper Trevor Ridings won the toss and asked Lye to bat on a good batting wicket but his plans were soon in disarray when leading wicket taker Martin Johnson was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder after bowling only three overs.

The Lye batsmen, led by opener Anderson (131) and Lynch (37), took full advantage of a depleted attack and fast outfield.

Even though they scored at over five runs per over throughout the innings, they were never able to gain complete domination and a score of 262 from their 50 overs left Pershore a chance of victory.

Pershore obviously relished the challenge and openers Lea Hawkes (38) and Stephen Cooper set off like an express train, adding 85 in 18 overs.

When Hawkes was dismissed, Lee Wilks came to the wicket and he and Cooper added a further 100 in 16 overs with the third 50 of the innings coming off a mere 22 balls.

After Wilks's dismissal for 47 from 50 balls, Coetsee joined Cooper, who was playing one of the finest innings seen on the ground for many seasons.

The pair actually increased the scoring rate to put the home side well in front of the required rate and Pershore ran out well deserved winners reaching their target with 16 balls to spare.

Coetsee was unbeaten on 44 from 47 balls, while Cooper, the backbone of the innings, scored a magnificent 109 not out, as the pair put on 81 from the last 13 overs.

The club's junior section faced a hectic week but came out up smiling after an eight-match schedule.

The Under-16s defeated Malvern Ramblers and Barnards Green by ten and nine wickets respectively but then lost to Victoria by 60 runs.

The Under-11s lost by just three runs to the same club but then had 24 runs to spare against Hagley.

There were wins elsewhere for the Under-12s and Under-15s but the Under-17 girls team lost by 52 runs against Dominies and Guild.