A SUPERB century from Joe Lennon couldn’t save Hagley from defeat at Pedmore.

The opener scored a sublime 138 but it was to no avail as the three-wicket derby loss dropped the visitors down to 10th in Worcestershire League Division One.

In contrast, victory proved the perfect tonic for the hosts, who climb to seventh.

Pedmore won the toss and chose to bowl on a damp pitch, with Paul Taylor (5-48) taking two early wickets to leave Hagley struggling at 20-2.

But opener Lennon was joined by Ben Wooldridge (23) and the pair put on 77 for the third wicket.

The rest of the Hagley line up tried to support Lennon but found it tricky on the difficult surface as Dave Skelding (3-23) and Taylor claimed regular victims.

Lennon was gradually starved of the strike and was eventually last man out as Hagley were dismissed for 207 in the 49th over.

Pedmore’s reply got off to the worst possible start as skipper Stuart Bate was dismissed without scoring, off the bowling of Craig Bray (3-58).

Dave Skelding (66) and James Burgoyne (37) gradually rebuilt the innings with a second wicket stand of 79, Skelding, in particular, being handed several lifelines by the visiting fielders.

Raj Nandra (1-51) was introduced and removed Burgoyne, before Skelding and Danny McDonnell fell to John Porter (3-45).

But Paul Pickering (42 not out) extinguished any glimmer of hope for Hagley as he saw Pedmore home in the 48th over.

Hagley now host fellow relegation rivals Colwall on Saturday at home, while Pedmore host Worcester.

Hagley skipper Rus Andrews said: “We dropped crucial catches when it mattered and you cant give players like Dave Skelding and Paul Pickering a chance.

“After Joe’s fabulous innings, we have let him down by not winning this game, he was absolutely superb and we hope his forms continues and the rest of us can support him better.”