WORCESTER and Droitwich played out a nail-biting derby which culminated in a tie in Worcestershire League Division One.

Having won the toss, hosts Worcester opted to bat and posted a creditable 259 all out.

Early on runs were hard to come by as the home side were reduced to 35-2, but captain Liam Kelleher and in-form Nick Brown steadied the ship as they progressed to 88-2 at the half-way stage of their innings.

It was at this point they accelerated the scoring, particularly against the spinners, before Kelleher (54) became the first of two quick wickets for Martin Woodward.

Overseas star Cameron Williams joined Brown in a quick-fire partnership of 80 before his 35 ball 50 cameo was ended by Max Young.

Having anchored the innings brilliantly, Brown was eventually dismissed for 99 as the Worcester innings faltered at the death. Young picked up figures of 4-6 in his three overs as he and Karl Goddard (3-41) restricted any late onslaught.

The Droitwich reply began poorly as Liam Weston claimed two early wickets to leave them reeling at 9-2.

Captain Jerome Connor joined youngster Jake Young in a partnership which looked as if it would be enough to secure victory as the pair led their side to 150-2 with more than 20 overs remaining. Kelleher dismissed Connor for 60, which sparked a spirited Worcester fight-back as the spinners slowed the scoring rate.

Kelleher recalled opening bowlers Weston and Matt Walters into the attack as the game drew towards a dramatic climax.

Young stood firm while wickets fell around him and Matthew Biggs (26) stroked Droitwich closer to victory. He was dismissed by Weston before the game-changing moment as Walters dismissed Young with a direct hit from point for a well constructed 90.

Walters (1-54) and Weston bowled tightly, but Mike Rogers (19no) and Karl Goddard required only one run to win from the final two deliveries.

Weston was able to bowl a dot ball followed by a stumping from the final delivery as he finished with 5-83 and the sides had to settle for an enthralling tie.

Elsewhere in Division One, last year’s Birmingham League relegated side Pershore are in third place, with a third of the season gone, as they could not part the last Redditch pair after Liam Ridings scored 103.

At Oldswinford, the home side could not break Bewdley’s resistance. Pedmore’s run of high scores continued as they racked up 347-2 declared with former Worcester City goalkeeper Danny McDonnell eclipsing Steve Adshead’s new divisional record score from the previous week (200) by notching 207 not out. However, Pedmore could not dislodge the last Romsley pair and had to settle for a draw.

In Division Two, Colwall returned to joint top with a 24-point win against bottom-placed Kidderminster Victoria as Monmouth took just 20 at Wormelow. Worcester Dominies beat Malvern thanks to six wickets from Adam Crowle.

Division Three leaders Rushwick, have lost a small part of their lead as, despite 165 from Danny Sproul and 108 from Chris Pearman, they could not complete a victory over Harborne, which allowed Alvechurch, winners at Chaddesley, to close to within a win of them.

Stourport thrashed Himbleton to leap-frog Harborne, while Chaddesley jumped to third place, 21 points adrift of leaders Alvechurch.

Enville climbed to sixth by demolishing Old Vigornians thanks to a seven-wicket haul for James Willis.

In the basement games, Birlingham sent Cookley to the foot of the table by inflicting an eight-wicket defeat with 102 from James Styles and Harvington clawed themselves off the bottom by beating Lye.

In Division Four, leaders Tenbury moved further ahead beating Barnards Green.