OLD Elizabethans slipped to a three-wicket defeat at county rivals Pershore in a hard-fought Birmingham League Division Two derby.

James Padden (55) and Atiq ur-Rehman (47) helped Old Elizabethans to 213 all out.

Pershore responded with 214-7 to earn their first win of the season.

Taylor Pugh took 3-28 for Pershore who were led to victory by Adam Wiffen (105 not out) and skipper Chris Ridings (47) who came together after they had lost five early wickets.

Wiffen’s century included 15 boundaries after Matt Davis (4-57) had caused most of the early damage.

Stourbridge’s attempt to bounce back to Division Two following relegation at the end of last season received another boost with a two-wicket win over Brewood. They stand at the top of Division Three.

Chris Tranter hit 43 and Nathan Howell scored 36 but Brewood fell away to 169 all out as Daniel Such (3-20) and Jade Richter (3-39) made inroads into their middle order.

In reply, Stourbridge were made to work hard by Will Marsh (4-44) but Harshad Patel (47) and Richard Bradley (44) took them home despite a late collapse.