WORCESTERSHIRE paid for below-par bowling and fielding with an Image Company Home Counties Over 60s Championship defeat.

The County fell to Hertfordshire at King's Langley as the hosts powered home by four wickets with five balls to spare.

They lost the toss and were asked to bat first with John Shepherd and Barry Briscoe giving them a sound start with a 37-run opening partnership.

Briscoe fell lbw to Ian Bailey before Derek Ebbage and Shepherd added 92, gradually accelerating the run-rate.

Ebbage was stumped one run short of a deserved half-century.

He was replaced by an ebullient Keith Middleton and, with Shepherd moving up a further gear, the pair added 103 before both were dismissed in the final over.

Shepherd scored his second ton in five days, finishing on 102 again, and Middleton contributed a hard-hit 44.

The innings closed at 239-4 with Ian Bailey taking 3-51.

When the home side batted, Worcestershire gained early success with Chris Taylor taking a catch off Trevor Knowles to dismiss Mike Dexter for two.

But Mike Fernando (59) and Colin Garside (75) powered their way to 110 before a smart stumping by Roger Price dismissed the former to give Bob Deaves a wicket.

Taylor and Martin Woodward gained further successes but bright knocks by Barrie Mitchell (40) and Colin Croucher (33) paved the way for a home victory.

Shepherd bowled briefly to dismiss Garside and Woodward claimed Mitchell's wicket but Hertfordshire romped home.

Although Taylor, Woodward and Knowles achieved acceptable economy rates, the remaining bowling was ineffective.

They all found it difficult to cope with a sloping pitch in cold, windy conditions.

Fielding was below-par too with several simple chances spilled and a general lack of awareness.

Without detracting from the performances of the hosts' top batsmen, it was a game lost by Worcestershire.