WORCESTERSHIRE managed to battle their way to a draw with Derbyshire in their County Championship clash at New Road.

With no prospect of a win for the home side, they were forced to bat out the final day in order to salvage a draw and take some points from the encounter.

Gareth Roderick scored a brilliant century to guide his side to safety, whilst Ed Pollock also frustrated the visitors, who scored 578 runs in their first innings over two days and had a full day to claim the eight wickets required for victory.

But a mix of the weather and stubborn defence from Pollock, the game limped to a draw.

Worcestershire began the final day of the contest 70-2 with Gareth Roderick and Rehaan Edavalath at the crease.

The young academy product was looking composed but came unstuck after facing 62 deliveries when caught by Wayne Madsen at first slip off the bowling of Nick Potts. 

Hose came in but lasted just under half an hour before he was bowled for 1 by Alex Thompson. 

But Roderick was frustrating the visitors and he continued to play his shots whilst Ed Pollock looked to stay at the crease for as long as possible and the pair got to lunch still in play.

After the restart, Pollock and Roderick went into defence mode to try and tire the Derbyshire attack. Pollock in particular was in no mood to score runs, with just six off 109 deliveries. 

Roderick reached his century and then he too opted for the cautious approach with the hosts still having to bat through another session.

But the game swung back in the favour of Derbyshire as they finally managed to break Roderick's resistance as he was caught off Thompson for 123. 

But Pollock continued to block his way through the innings and Matthew Waite picked up where Roderick had left off, keeping himself in. 

Pollock raced out of the blocks at the start of the evening session before rain brought the players off the field.

They did return and Pollock reached his half-century before chipping up into the air and being caught out as the sixth wicket fell.

Waite was joined by Joe Leach at the crease and the pair played through the remaining overs to steer Worcestershire to the draw, finishing on 243/6.