WORCESTERSHIRE Over 60s beat Essex by three runs in a thrilling County Championship match at Ombersley.

Worcestershire won the toss and elected to bat with John Shepherd and Barry Briscoe providing a sound start by adding 35 in 11 overs before Briscoe was judged lbw for 21.

Shepherd increased his scoring rate and took the total past the 100 mark with the aid of Keith Middleton (14) and Brian Scott, Acceleration was needed at 93-3 after 27 overs and, although Shepherd fell for 56 with the score on 110, Bob Rogers (26) and Chris Taylor (21) increased the strike rate followed by a hectic stand by Trevor Knowles (38 not out) and John Brookes (9no).

Knowles and Brookes added 47 in the last five and-a-half overs, 33 coming from the last three as the hosts recorded 203-6.

Ken Pratt was the pick of the visiting bowlers, taking 3-26 in his nine overs.

Knowles took a magnificent caught and bowled to dismiss the prolific John Stuck for nine in reply.

Two run outs followed, due to excellent fielding by Brookes and Knowles, as the visitors slumped to 41-3.

Peter Bland (49) and Ken Porter put on a stand of 65 before a one-handed diving catch by wicketkeeper Rogers gave Shepherd (2-41) a wicket and 13 runs later the same combination dismissed Bland.

Man-of-the-match Knowles then took a catch in the deep followed by vetern left-armer Graham Thorne bowling the hard-hitting Malcolm for 29.

After two more stumpings by Rogers, Essex fell three runs short with one wicket in hand.

Worcestershire travel to Surrey for their next match.