Head Coach Alan Richardson reflected on his side’s difficult year in Division One of the Rothesay County Championship after pushing Sussex all the way in another riveting red-ball comeback that saw the Pears nearly snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
With Worcestershire’s fate already sealed during the previous four-day game against Durham, the Pears launched a seismic comeback, on day three against Sussex, reducing the visitors to 59-7 in their pursuit of 61 to win the match.
In similar circumstances to the home fixture against Notts Outlaws, where the home side also came within three wickets of a famous, narrow victory, Richardson expressed his pride in how his team have continued to scrap despite results not going their way.
“We have probably had a lot more close games than we did last year. Obviously, we haven’t won the games that we won last year. But I think certainly at home, we’ve played the same game probably seven times now they’ve been close all the way.
“We haven’t quite got over the line with the Essex here, had a couple of draws, some tight games of cricket, so yeah, that is probably the reflection.
“I think we’ve gone toe to toe for the majority of the season.
“There’s been a couple of real disappointing performances, but in general, we’ve gone toe to toe with some really good sides.
“But it’s not been through lack of trying, certainly, and how the team have played is something I’ve been really proud of.”
Alongside Jake Libby, who surpassed 1,000 runs for the season in first-class cricket in the second innings against Sussex with a glorious knock of 72, at the heart of Pear’s Division One efforts this year, has been seam bowler, Tom Taylor.
In what can only be described as a record-breaking year, the 30-year-old ended the campaign with 58 wickets in Division One, the most of any bowler in the competition.
Taking his scalps at a fraction over 23 apiece, Richardson was full of praise for his main man after making a huge commitment to the side across the season.
“Yeah, he’s done really well. Unfortunately, last year he missed the first half the season through injury, and it’s always a challenge when you move to a new club, but Tommy’s really taken to it.
“He is popular member of the changing room, has worked really hard, slightly different role than he had at Northampton but one that he’s taken to really well.
“Opening the bowling and being one of the spearheads of the attack, he has done really well and thoroughly deserves every wicket that he’s taken, he’s put in a real shift for this side, contributing in the field and contributing with the bat as the season’s gone on.
“So I’m really pleased for Tommy. It’s a big thing when you move, and his whole family moved over, Laura and the two kids have had to move as well. And you know, I’d like to think he really thinks this place is home.”
