A FINE 92 from captain Liam Ridings helped Pershore tighten their grip on top spot in Worcestershire League Division One.
Opener Ridings’ innings off 88 balls, featuring 15 fours, steered the Plums to an impressive eight-wicket win over fellow title challengers Droitwich Spa at The Bottoms.
Pershore now have a 12-point lead over second placed Worcester Nomads ahead of Saturday’s visit to Bromyard.
Droitwich won the toss and batted and they made a solid start as openers Martyn Davies (20) and Jake Young (33) put on 52 for the first wicket before their departures in quick succession sparked a mini-collapse.
Like the previous week, Paul Bryan (55no) and Gary Cartwright (22) set about repairing the situation before the latter holed out in the deep just as he looked set for a big score.
Teenager Ash Fearnall blasted a belligerent 27 to boost the Droitwich total to 197-8 but it was never enough as Taylor Pugh led the Pershore bowlers with 4-25 off his ten overs, while Andrew Robertson (2-55), Luke Dalley (1-18) and Matthew Brace (1-46) were the other wicket-takers.
In the Plums’ reply, Ridings and Adam Wiffen (37) put on 132 for the first wicket.
Wiffen fell after hitting five fours in his knock and then Ridings departed just short of his century as Gary Cartwright took a second wicket on 167.
However, Chris Ayliffe (32no) and Brace (22no) wasted little time in guiding them past their target in the 35th over.
Pershore 2nds completed a Saturday double over Droitwich with a 41-run win at St Peter’s Field.
Owen Harrison (48) and Trevor Ridings (39) led the Plums to 180-8 in their 50 overs.
Harrison then showed his prowess with the ball in claiming 4-9 in just 16 balls and Andy Hawes (3-18), Martin Johnson (2-30) and George Bunn (1-18) also took wickets to dismiss Droitwich for 139.