A MAGNIFICENT all-round display from Martin Johnson guided Pershore to an unlikely victory at Moseley Ashfield last Saturday.

"Magic" produced a virtual one-man show to leave the hosts shellshocked on an afternoon of fluctuating fortunes in the third division of the Birmingham League.

Johnson took 9-45 from 21 immaculate overs and then scored an unbeaten 28 after coming to the crease with the visitors 42 short with just two wickets left.

Johnson started his matchwinning exploits by taking wickets in both his opening overs but Bowyer and Jeffries took the total to 79 in quick time after Stephen Cooper had asked Moseley to take first knock on a poor looking track.

The wicket became even more tricky after a short storm and Johnson exposed its fragility to send the third wicket pair packing and then claimed a couple more scalps before David Powles prevented a clean sweep.

Johnson hit back to take the last three wickets in ten balls without conceding a run and Pershore were left what appeared the simple task of scoring 111 for victory.

However, for the second successive Saturday, their top order disintegrated and a scoreboard reading 28-4 left the hosts well on top.

The aggressive attitude of Liam Ridings on an increasingly unpredictable surface reaped the reward of 28 rapid runs but he was the only Batsman to reach double figures until Johnson joined Mark Stevens with the reply seemingly in tatters at 69-8.

The experienced Johnson was intent on not seeing his brilliance with the ball go to waste and the ninth wicket pair added the 42 runs that secured a remarkable victory.

A good day at The Bottoms was completed when the club's second string recorded a three-wicket win off the penultimate ball of the match.

Les Wild was the last-gasp hero with 20 not out after Gary Stevenson (68) and Rob Handley (33) had laid the foundations in pursuit of 184 for victory in a reduced 46 overs.

Moseley had earlier been dismissed for 183 after their 49 overs with Dave Jessop (4-47) and Holly Penwarden (2-36) making full use of the conditions and giving the batters every chance of recording a fourth win in six league outings.

Powles and Penwarden also claimed success with the ball in Sunday's three-wicket Clubs League win over Solihull Blossomfield when the hosts fielded a side comprising seniors, ladies and juniors.

Both took three wickets apiece as the visitors were shot out for 159 before Powles hit 46 and Dean Brookes 49 to complete a profitable weekend for the club.