LIFE in Birmingham League Division Three for Worcester Nomads got off to the perfect start as they claimed a narrow three-run success over Nuneaton.
After securing promotion from Worcestershire County League Division One last term, Nomads got their season underway with a score of 205 all out after 49.3 overs.
Opener Trevor Keen top scored for the hosts who at one stage looked to be in trouble at 68-4.
In response Nuneaton looked to be creeping towards victory as they reached 186-9 with the help of Jason Jakeman (41) and Martin Cox (48).
However, Nikolas Jones (2-37) grabbed the final wicket with five balls to spare as the visitors were bowled out for 202.
Barnards Green got their Division One campaign off to the worst possible start at the weekend as they were emphatically beaten by 348 runs at home to Tamworth.
Tamworth opted to bat after winning the toss and it proved to be an inspired decision as the visitors posted a mammoth 392-6 from their 50 overs.
Stuart Burrows led the way with 101 while opener Jacob Flower (88), Worcestershire’s Joe Clarke (77) and skipper Ben Maddox (50) made sizeable contributions.
In response the Green were rushed out for a paltry 44 after just 15.5 overs with Ryan Tongue (17) the only player to reach double figures.
James Rudge (4-13) did the damage with the ball against Green, who will be hoping for much better things this Saturday when they travel to Attock.
Old Elizabethans also got off to a slow start as they lost by 49 runs at Harborne.
Harborne were put into bat after losing the toss but opener Guriq Randhawa’s 159 went someway to the hosts’ total of 315-5 from their 50 overs.
Greg Easter (32) and Tom Payne (39) also contributed leaving Old E’s a mountain to climb.
Despite the quick scoring from Atiq Ur Rehman (60) and James Padden (64), the visitors were bowled out for 266 after 43.3 overs.