PERSHORE'S hopes of avoiding relegation received a massive Bank Holi-day boost after two wins in three days.

Youth and experience proved the ideal recipe as they notched up a victory at bottom of the table Lichfield on Saturday before following up with a five-wicket win over Redditch two days later.

Six wickets for Martin Johnson and four for teenager Tom Bales hurried Pershore to a second successive win in Staffordshire after Stephen Cooper had invited the hosts to bat first.

The pace of Bales proved too much for both openers, while Johnson's guile accounted for three more to leave the Staffordshire outfit in disarray at 25-5.

It didn't get much better despite stands worth 40 and 45 for the sixth and ninth wickets as Johnson doubled his wicket tally to leave Pershore 110 for victory.

Mark Stevens joined his captain at the crease again and the promotion of the wicket keeper to the top of the order has proved a smart move as he scored 37 not out to help steer the visitors to a seven-wicket win.

Sam Howell fell one run short of a half-century after the early loss of Cooper but an early finish was assured and maximum points pocketed.

David Powles was the star with the ball on Monday when his five-wicket haul helped restrict Redditch 110-9, while Johnson continued his fine form with 3-57.

Stevens and Howell both made a start only to fall for 15 after Cooper could only manage eight but 25 from Lee Wilks and 32 not out from David White earned Pershore a seventh win of the summer.

To cap a good day at The Bottoms on Saturday the second string easily overcame Lichfield who could only manage 214-8 with Holly Penwarden and Lachlan McKenzie claiming three wickets apiece.

Rob Handley then hit 76 not out and skipper Steve Meers an unbeaten 70 as the chase was ended with five overs to spare.

The club's third string, containing seven members of the successful Academy squad, made it a hat-trick of wins when overcoming Belbroughton by seven wickets.

Twelve-year-olds George Burt, Rory Harrison and Tom Bird all took three wickets with stumper Dave Price taking three catches and a stumping.

In reply there was no stopping the youthful Pershore side who saw Richard Burt score 23, Stuart Mason 18 out and Owen Harrison top score with an undefeated 30.