A CAREER-BEST score from Ben Allison proved in vain as Worcestershire CCC suffered a 141-run defeat against Middlesex in the County Championship.
Allison blasted 18 boundaries in an impressive knock with no other Pears batter able to reach the 30-run mark in the home side’s second innings at New Road.
Worcestershire bowled Middlesex out for 339 in the first innings but could only manage 265 all out in reply.
The visitors declared on 283-6 in the second innings which left the Pears in pursuit of 358 for victory.
However, despite Allison’s heroics, Middlesex bowled Worcestershire out for 216 as the Pears suffered a 141-run defeat.
And the result means Worcestershire sit seventh in the County Championship Division Two table, just one place above bottom side Gloucestershire.
The Pears won the toss and decided to bowl as Middlesex recovered from the early loss of Ben Geddes (5) with a 94-run second-wicket partnership
Opener Sam Robson (70) and Max Holden (49) combined well at the crease before Allison (4-77) clean bowled both batters.
Middlesex captain Leus du Plooy (85) top scored while Sebastian Morgan (58 not out) added a half-century in the lower order to boost the away side’s total.
Adam Finch (4-93) eventually accounted for du Plooy and took two wickets in as many balls when removing Caleb Falconer (37) and Joe Cracknell (0) in the 67th over.
Middlesex reached 339 all out and made the perfect start with the ball as Pears openers Jake Libby (3) and Dan Lategan (4) fell cheaply to leave the home side in trouble on 10-2.
Toby Roland-Jones (4-41) did the damage with the ball to restrict Worcestershire to 80-5 before Matthew Waite (69) and Ethan Brookes (29) came together at the crease.
The pair combined for a 98-run sixth-wicket stand as Morgan (3-67) claimed the crucial scalp of Waite.
And an entertaining knock from Beyers Swanepoel (34) and useful runs from Tom Taylor (26) helped the Pears reach 265 all out.
With Middlesex 74 runs ahead at the start of the second innings, the visitors looked to increase their lead.
However, the Pears had the away side in trouble on 83-4 as Allison (2-58) removed openers Robson (23) and Geddes (24).
The visitors wrestled back control of the game courtesy of an unbeaten century from du Plooy (101 not out).
And Cracknell (46) and Zafar Gohar (39 not out) added more runs to the away side’s total despite a couple of wickets for Harry Darley (2-32).
Middlesex declared on day three and took two wickets before the start of play on the final day.
Pears lost Libby (0) just five balls into the innings with the opener run out without facing a ball.
And Lategan (15) also departed as the Pears ended day three on 33-2 still in need of 324 runs with eight wickets in hand.
Allison (89) put the Pears in contention for a shock victory with a career-best knock but lacked support at the crease.
Only Henry Cullen (28), Gareth Roderick (20) and Taylor (15 not out) managed double figures as Gohar (6-31) ripped through Worcestershire’s batters with the Pears all out for 216.
Worcestershire continue their County Championship campaign against Gloucestershire on Friday, June 19 with play to begin at 11am at New Road.
