Oldswinford 162-8, Worcester Nomads 165-7.

JAMES Watkins was once again the mainstay of Worcester Nomads’ batting as his solid 60 not out sealed the team’s first victory of the season in Crusader Worcestershire League Division One.

Batting first at Bransford, Oldswinford were soon in trouble against the seam attack of Olly Butterworth and Damon Gariff.

Opener Dan Haywood (29) held firm while wickets fell regularly at the other end.

Seb Soukup and Jamie Perks steadied the ship with a mid-innings stand until Soukup was bowled by Geoff Taylor for 20.

Perks continued to an unbeaten 66, but Oldswinford could only muster a modest 162-8. Gariff was the pick of the bowlers with 3-39. Nomads’ reply started badly as captain Dannie Rees and Steve Bowman fell to unnecessary run-outs.

The hosts limped towards their target, losing wickets steadily.

However, Watkins was joined by the experienced Paul Gardner (21) and they took their team to the brink of victory.

Eventually, Nomads reached 165-7 with two overs to spare for a three-wicket success. Soukup (2-38) and Tom Blunt (3-74) bowled well for Oldswinford.

Nomads Seconds travelled to Lye in Division One.

The hosts batted first and were dismissed for 115 after 36 overs. Rio Swapnill was the star bowler with 5-42. It took Nomads just 12.3 overs to win the game, courtesy of Dean Sanders’ 81 not out, which included eight sixes and seven fours, and an unbeaten 31 from Dean Oliver.

The Thirds’ season finally kicked off with their visit to Avoncroft on the artificial pitch at Droitwich. Early Avoncroft wickets were going to be important and Jack Brain (4-34) obliged, removing the first four home batsmen with the score having only progressed to 38. Host skipper Andy Wilkes was one of the four to fall despite being dropped early on in the innings.

The bowlers kept things tight with Madzarevic, Neal and Sanders increasing the pressure. As Avoncroft chased runs, wickets began to tumble, with Sanders taking 2-18 and Nick Williams 3-9 as Nomads wrapped the innings up for 148.

Nomads’ reply began steadily with the home bowlers finding a good line. Sanders fell for seven and Beazley made 15 before also departing. With the score having progressed to 57, Nomads were looking solid but then three quick wickets fell, including Pearson run-out to a direct throw for 30, and suddenly the total looked in doubt.

Youth and experience combined, however, in the form of Williams, looking aggressive with an unbeaten 44.

Jamie Oliver, aged 13, showed increasing maturity with an unbeaten 19. Avoncroft were unable to find any way of breaking the combination and an unbeaten partnership of 77 saw Nomads home by five wickets.