Thanks to an outstanding innings from Worcestershire Academy player Daryl Mitchell, Worcester managed to record the closest of victories when they visited Bedworth in division one.

Chasing a target of 142 Worcester found the going hard on an unpredictable pitch, but Mitchell opening the innings held his nerve and got good support from James Brinkley who hit a quick-fire 19.

Most of the Worcester batsmen perished to Bevin Joshi (5-63) and Dennis Oakes (3-34) both bowling excellent spells of leg-spin, but Mitchell stayed for a dogged but invaluable 64no and with Phil Knight (9no) added 13 for the final wicket to see Worcester home by just one wicket at 142-9.

Earlier the home side were bowled out for 141 in the 53rd over, Brig Dutta top scoring with 48. The last two wickets for Bedworth added 49 runs with Paul Smith making 35.

Pick of the bowlers for Worcester were Knight (6-43) and James Wagstaff (3-36). Worcester took 20 points to Bedworth's five.

The second team lost their second game of the Bank Holiday weekend when they went down by 53 runs against Redditch at the Gordon Jones Memorial Ground.

Redditch batted well to make 226-5 in their 50 overs, Paul Tongue top-scoring with 59no and Les Davies making a solid 43.

Worcester found the going hard and lost wickets at regular intervals, only Mark Chambers with a splendid 83 and Andy Llewellyn with 30 making any impression as Worcester were bowled out for 173 in the 49th over.

Pick of the Redditch attack was Chris Taylor with 3-19. Redditch took 20 points to Worcester's four.