THE strength of the youth section at Pershore was emphasised yet again last Sunday morning when the Under-17 squad eased into the quarter-finals of this year's Ryan Birt Memorial Trophy.

Hosts Feckenham were asked to bat but could only muster 101-6 off their allotted 20 overs - a total that proved totally inadequate.

Tom Bales conceded just four runs off his four overs, while brother Ben also shone with the ball after a spell of spin that realised three wickets for 23 runs.

Charlie Stokes, Luke Dalley and Andy Emsley were the other wicket takers while catches were taken by a couple of younger members of the team, Chris Ridings and Stuart Doust.

Openers Sam Howell and Ben Bales made light work of the reply as the openers had added 82 in 12 overs when the former fell one short of a half-century.

Bales remained unbeaten on 37 and received fine support from Michael Hickey (16no) as the target was passed in the 16th over.

Worcestershire County League

Division One

P W D L Ab Pts

Pershore 11 6 1 1 3 157

Brockhampton 11 6 1 0 4 149

Chadd Corbett 11 4 3 1 3 133

Droitwich Spa 11 3 1 4 3 123

Eastnor 11 3 3 2 3 114

Kington 11 3 3 1 4 114

Ombersley 11 3 2 3 3 114

Bewdley 11 3 4 2 2 109

Bromyard 11 3 5 0 3 104

Stourbridge 11 3 5 1 2 104

Luctonians 11 3 4 1 3 103

Netherton 11 0 8 0 3 52

2nd XI Division One

P W D L Ab Pts

Ombersley 11 7 0 1 3 181

Droitwich Spa 11 3 1 4 3 154

Bewdley 11 4 1 3 3 142

Stourbridge 11 4 4 1 2 136

Brockhampton 11 4 1 1 5 131

Netherton 11 4 2 1 4 125

Chaddesley 11 3 4 2 2 117

Luctonians 11 3 3 1 4 115

Kington 11 3 3 1 4 112

Pershore 11 1 2 4 4 83

Eastnor 11 0 8 0 3 44

Bromyard 11 0 7 1 3 41