IN FORM Kington inflicted a heavy defeat on a weakened Pershore side that could only manage to set a target of 186 in Saturday's Worcestershire County Lea-gue first division clash.

The visitors were asked to take first knock on a newly laid wicket that offered variable bounce and an amazing opening saw Pershore lose four wickets while also benefiting from 30 extras as 60 runs were posted against an attack containing Sri Lankan international Gamage.

It was left to veteran Trevor Ridings to bolster the middle order with an unbeaten 57, while Guy Muspratt's quickfire 32 enabled Pershore to reach 185-7 at the end of their allotted overs.

It was always going to prove a competitive total on the tricky surface and, when Reuben Rivers-Smith claimed a couple of early scalps, the visitors had high hopes of forcing a win.

However, Stebbins and Butterworth added 94 to lay the platform for a Kington victory that was rubber-stamped by the former who remained undefeated on 70 when the target was reached with three overs to spare.

It was a similar sorry tale in the second team fixture at The Bottoms where the home side were dismissed for 178 with Gary Stevenson top scoring with 53.

Kington lost wickets steadily as they chased victory and they were indebted to Lovell's unbeaten half-century that guided them to victory with the last pair at the crease.