WORCESTERSHIRE under 17s came within 10 overs of a draw after contributions down the order before losing by 96 runs to Gloucestershire in the ECB County Championship at Stourport.

The hosts resumed on 99-2 after being set a 450 target and with skipper Zain Ul-Hassan top-scoring with 72 batted deep into the final session until they were dismissed for 353 off 109 overs.

Worcestershire started day three with Dan Holland and Xavier Clarke, century-makers in the opening two Championship games against Somerset and Hampshire respectively, at the crease.

But both departed on 33 with Holland offering a return catch to Hamdi Saleem and Clarke holing out in the covers off Will Naish.

With Naish also dismissing Alex Hinkley (3), the under 17s were 155-5 at one stage but then Ul-Hassan and Pete Clark added 96 for the sixth wicket.

But Ul-Hassan, having struck seven fours in his 152-ball knock, became Naish’s third victim.

Clark departed five runs later for a determined 39 off 125 deliveries with two boundaries.

Further resistance was provided by Aaron Tomson and Henry Cullen before the latter on 36 was run out attempting a third run.

The game appeared to be heading to its conclusion at 307-9 but last man Matt Davis (17 not out) and Tomson had other ideas.

They added 46 before Tomson’s 93-ball 39 with six fours ended when he nicked Saleem through to the keeper.

The match produced three run-laced days in which Worcestershire had boldly declared 315 behind in their first innings to try to ensure a meaningful last day.