SKIPPER Chris Ridings led the way with a patient half-century as Pershore rallied from a mid-innings stutter to defeat Wombourne by one wicket in their Birmingham League Division Two contest.
Chasing the visitors’ 184-7 at The Bottoms, Pershore had looked well placed at 156-4 but four wickets fell for 14 runs and it was left to Ridings and last man Darren Critcher to steer them to victory.
Ridings finished with 68 not out from 108 balls, including seven fours and one six as Pershore got home with two balls left.
Wombourne, winning the toss and batting first, put on 60 for the first wicket before James Clark (21) fell.
But fellow opener Daniel Bassett (52) and Will Cook (52) provided the mainstay of their runs, with Cook and Rawlson Tappin (20) setting up a stand worth 55 runs for the fourth wicket.
Taylor Pugh was the pick of the Pershore bowlers, taking 3-38, while George Kirby took 2-56.
In reply, Liam Ridings (51) and Arshad Mahmood (15) compiled a steady 47 for the first wicket but Chris Ridings become the rock on which the innings was built. Chris Miles (2) and Charlie Norton (16) also provided vital contributions as Wombourne’s Ben Thomas took 4-49.
Pershore, who occupy seventh place in the table but 45 points behind second-placed Harborne, head to Fordhouses tomorrow (Saturday).
Lee Wilks smashed a century but it was not enough to give Pershore Seconds victory at Wombourne in 2nd XI Division One.
Skipper Wilks, batting at No 5, hammered 125 but only George Bunn (41 not out) and Jacob Flowers (16) hit doubles figures from the rest of the batsmen.
Pershore, who had been put into bat, ended on 226-7 from their 50 overs but Wombourne had their own century-maker as they got home with 12 overs to spare.
Opener Laurence Pickin carried his bat from 120 not out, with Jack Bradley (42), also contributing while George Bunn took three wickets, but for a big cost conceding 112 runs in his 15 overs.
The Seconds, stuck at the bottom of the table, entertain Walsall tomorrow.
Pershore Thirds swept to a nine-wickets win against host Redditch Entaco 3rds, thanks to an unbeaten ton from Jonathan Stickler, in the Worcestershire County League Division Five.
Christopher Holtom had been the star with the ball for the Plums, taking 4-46 in 12 overs, and Alex Andrews (2-11) and Michael Bunn (2-46) chipped in to dismiss Redditch for 196 off the penultimate ball of the innings.
Stickler led the reply with 101 not out as Pershore got to 200-1 in the 32nd over, with Dominic Capaldi (47) and Dean Brookes (34no) also contributing to their third win of the season.
Pershore, who now trail third-bottom Harborne by eight points, are at home to Old Hill 3rds tomorrow.