IN spite of an excellent batting performance, Herefordshire went down to Worcestershire by seven wickets in their opening ECB 50 Plus Championship clash at Brockhampton.

Herefordshire enjoyed a useful start through Eddie Pyatt (21) and Maurice Embrey (39) before a fine stand of 96 for the fourth wicket between Pete Hoare (75) and skipper Jim Sandford (39) gave the innings some middle-order impetus.

Some late fireworks from Steve Newton, whose unbeaten 32 came from just 14 balls and included four fours and two sixes, with 27 coming from the final over.

In reply, Worcestershire found the conditions even more to their liking and, after an opening stand of 122 between Godfrey Lamb and Ali Babar (58), never looked back.

Lamb completed an excellent century, finishing with 118 not out as the visitors won with 15 balls to spare.

Hoare (2-38) and Nigel Williams (1-44) took the wickets for Herefordshire.