PERSHORE recorded their second victory of the season as they defeated Worcestershire League Division One pace-setters Stourbridge by six wickets.

After winning the toss at The Bottoms, skipper Ciaran Sanders asked the visitors to bat and his attack of Luke Dalley (3-61) and Tom Pilling (4-76) soon had both Stourbridge openers back in the pavilion with only 25 runs on the board.

However, Audy Alexander’s unbeaten 129 gave Stourbridge hope as he shared partnerships with Josh Banks (40) and James Musk (43) as the visitors reached a reasonable score of 253-8 from their 50 overs.

In reply, Pershore made a steady start with an opening stand of 51 between Liam Ridings (36) and David White (50).

After Ridings had been dismissed, White (59) was joined by Lee Wilks (43) and the pair added 95 for the second wicket as Pershore maintained the required rate.

But the loss of three quick wickets caused the innings to stutter and Sanders (48 not out) was joined by debutant Ross Matthews (59no) with 107 needed for victory from 15 overs.

Despite several bowling changes, the visitors were unable to stem the flow of runs and Pershore eased home with seven balls to spare.

Worcester Nomads topped 300 runs for the second week but this time could not force a win as visitors Droitwich held out for a draw with Ian Cottrill unbeaten on 102.

Droitwich won the toss and decided to bowl, reducing Nomads to 53-2 following the departures of Sam Roberts (4) and Jon Inglis (16).

However, as the Spa attack began to wilt, Liam O’Driscoll top-scored with 61, while Guy Davies and skipper Ben Schiffmann made half centuries.

Dylan Stanley (38), Steve Bowman (30) and Olly Swift (21no) also contributed to Nomads’ 319-8.

Droitwich openers Gary Cartwright and Neil Wright were not overawed by their task and set about the Nomads attack with some intent.

O’Driscoll removed both, however, and when Stanley dismissed captain Jerome Connor and veteran Paul Bryan for 16 and 0 respectively, Droitwich had much to do.

Jake Young (35) and Max Young (34) provided some resistance but it was Cottrill’s handsome 102 not out that held the innings together as Droitwich finished on 258-7.

Worcester were left to rue poor fielding as Steve Adshead hit a double century for Astwood Bank.

Having won the toss, Worcester’s decision to insert the hosts seemed vindicated when Liam Weston claimed a wicket in the first over.

However, this brought skipper Adshead to the crease and he scored at more than a run-a-ball.

Worcester proceeded to drop five catches as the onslaught continued with support from Andrzej Jagielski and then Paul Boycott.

Boycott provided the perfect foil in a double century partnership before he was dismissed for 73.

Adshead’s innings included 23 fours and 11 sixes before the returning Weston removed him for 200.

Some lusty hitting followed from the Alexander brothers Pete and Andy to lift Astwood Bank to 344-6.

Despite the early loss of Nick Brown in reply, Jack Horton and Dan McKay (55) scored freely.

But spinners Dan Taylor and Jagielski then took two wickets apiece to leave Worcester reeling at 130-6.

Oliver Peppiatt (30no) and Simon Dorrell (12no) batted cautiously to secure a losing draw on 193-8.

Bromyard were involved in an exciting losing draw at Pedmore.

Stuart Bate and Paul Pickering both notched centuries in the hosts’ total of 321-3.

However, Dinush Fernando (131) and Oliver Bailey (110) also made centuries in Bromyard’s 319-5.