Horton steers Lancs to crucial success

Reporter: Sport
Date online: 13 July 2009

PAUL HORTON chose the ideal time to record his highest LV County Championship score for more than 13 months to help Lancashire to a crucial three–day victory over bottom side Worcestershire at Old Trafford.

The 26–year–old opener recorded a patient 170–ball 77 with 10 fours to help the Red Rose county chase down 264 for the loss of three wickets.

The 17–point win keeps Lancashire on the fringes of the Division One title race but defeat would have plunged them into a relegation fight.

Worcestershire have still not won a game all season.

Horton was helped along by Mark Chilton’s 45 off 142 balls and the pair shared 109 for the second wicket after the early loss of Mal Loye.

VVS Laxman later hit an unbeaten 64 off 93 balls and Steven Croft 40 not out off 81 in an unbroken stand of 91 to guide the hosts home.

The win was Lancashire’s third of the campaign and their first in five matches since winning at New Road in early May.

They remain fourth in the table ahead of Wednesday’s trip to face Warwickshire at Edgbaston.