LIAM Ridings was the hero as Pershore recorded a welcome Worcester-shire County League Division One victory at Alvechurch last Saturday.

Ridings showed concentration in defence while hitting the bad ball to the boundary as he rattled up an unbeaten 77 to steer the visitors to their target of 241 with three overs and three wickets to spare.

Openers Steve Cooper and Phil Oxley had added 43 and the former then helped Sam Howell add 39 for the second wicket before three more wickets fell with Pershore only half-way to their target.

Ridings joined Lee Wilks and the fifth wicket pair set about the recovery until the former fell for 27.

Trevor Ridings and Guy Muspratt didn't last too long but Ridings found a more than able ally in Mark Stevens and a successful end to a fluctuating chase was finally achieved.

Wilks and Muspratt had earlier claimed seven wickets between them after the hosts had elected to bat first on a good-looking track.

The opening seven overs produced 50 runs and the scoring continued at pace when Clifford joined Ramjam and added 108 for the fourth wicket.

Wilks and Howell bowled Pershore back into the game and Alvechurch lost their last seven wickets for 48 runs as they were dismissed for 240 in the 49th over.

Sunday's Clubs League clash at Redditch saw the home side's batsmen pile up a mammoth 347-1 against a youthful Pershore outfit.

The visiting batsmen produced a spirited reply led by Reuben Rivers-Smith (61) and Steven Cooper (60no).

The latter ran out of partners as the reply closed on 274 all out.