PERSHORE made a disappointing start to their away campaign when losing to Chaddesley in Saturday's Worcestershire Cou-nty League Division One game.

The home side invited Pershore to bat on a slightly damp wicket and Stephen Cooper (25) and Lea Hawkes (13) got Pershore away to a steady start adding 42 for the first wicket but a flurry of wickets saw the visitors struggling at 64-4.

The experienced pair of Phil Oxley and Trevor Ridings (24) set about repairing the damage and added 66 for the fifth wicket but the pace attack of Chambers and Elbro, backed up by spinner Ritches, never allowed the visitors to dominate and it was left to Oxley, who scored 25 runs from his last 13 deliveries, to allow Pershore to post a reasonable total of 188 from their allotted 50 overs. Oxley finished on 74 not out.

The home side lost early wickets after tea and, with the score at 38-4, Pershore were hopeful of a second win of the season.

Vastly experienced Kevin Truswell had other ideas, though, and assisted by George Bayliss (19) and Sam Boden (22) kept the score moving.

With the score at 108-7 a Chaddesley victory looked a long way off but Truswell then took control of the situation and, after scoring 52 runs from eight overs, the home side needed just seven from the final over for victory.

Six runs were scored from the first five deliveries and, with the Pershore fielders surrounding the bat, Truswell hit the winning run to finish on 80 not out, his last 49 runs coming from only 34 deliveries.

Opening bowler Hawkes bowled an impressive 25 overs to finish with 6-91.

The club's junior section has made an excellent start to the season, winning three of the opening four matches.

The Under-16s defeated both Worcester Nomads and Old Elizabethans with Ali and Tahir hitting 33 not out and 39 not out in an eight-wicket win over the former.

Dalley took 4-9 to help skittle OEs before 28 from Ridings steered Pershore to a 30-run success.

Dalley was also in fine form with the ball as the Under-15s defeated Kempsey by 60 runs after Howell's unbeaten 66 laid the platform for a comfortable win.

The Under-13s were the only team to suffer defeat and that by a single run against Worcester.

The youngsters are obviously benefiting from Friday evening net sessions that run between 6 and 8pm.