ADAM Hose's 84 guided Worcestershire to a three-wicket victory at New Road over Leicestershire in a dramatic County Championship clash.
The Pears started the day needing 245 runs to win the game, which would have been the highest score of the match, and Hose produced the goods to guide the hosts to victory.
He and Gareth Roderick put on 131 runs for the fourth wicket, which ultimately put the home side in the driving seat.
Despite some late wickets, captain Brett D'Oliveira dug deep to get the winning runs necessary to provide Worcestershire with a crucial win.
The game was all set-up for a thrilling third day, with Worcestershire beginning 26/2 and chasing 273 to win.
With two full days in which to reach their target, Jack Haynes and Roderick made a steady start before the former was given out LBW for 22.
Summer signing Hose came to the crease at a vital moment in the game and he got into his stride immediately, smashing a six early on.
The former Warwickshire man was not messing around and raced to 24 off just 32 balls as hopes of a win started to build.
At the other end, Roderick was sticking around and the pair were proving difficult to stop and when the 50-partnership was brought up, Worcestershire were edging closer.
Hose brought up his half-century off just 66 balls and at lunch, Worcestershire were only 143 runs off victory with seven wickets still in hand.
The century stand was brought up soon after the teams returned to the field but after 31 more runs, Hose was caught by Peter Hanscomb off Wiaan Mulder for 84 to bring a brilliant innings to an end.
Roderick was determined to go the distance and it took 221 balls before he was finally dismissed for 59 in what was a valuable knock from the wicketkeeper.
Matthew Waite (22 and Joe Leach (4) both fell to Mulder but captain D'Oliveira stabilised the innings for the home side and he provided the winning runs - 41 not-out off 137 deliveries - to secure a huge win for the Pears.
The victory lifts Worcestershire to second in the Division Two table, keeping their promotion hopes on track.
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