COLWALL were narrowly edged out in their opening Worcestershire County League Division One encounter, losing out by 11 runs away at Stourport-on-Severn.
The hosts were put into bat after losing the toss and were bowled out for 189 after 40.5 overs.
Ryan Derrick (48) top scored for Stourport while Daniel Newby (4-51) and Jon Gooch (3-40) got the lion’s share of the wickets for the visitors.
But in response Colwall could not chase down their sub-200 target as they were back in the pavilion for 189 all out.
Ben Cooke (46) and Nick Panniers (45 no) hit the majority of Colwall’s runs.
FOUR wickets each from Mohammed Adeel and Andy Hill ensured Worcester got their Division One campaign off to a flying start with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Droitwich Spa.
Worcester won the toss and putting Spa into proved to be an inspired decision as the visitors were skittled out for just 54 after 21.4 overs.
Only Martyn Davies (16 no) and Phillip Thomas (10) reached double figures for Spa as Adeel (4-22) and Hill (4-25) did the damage with the ball.
In reply it took Worcester just 12 overs to claim victory as they reached 56-2.
KEMPSEY picked up maximum points on the opening day in Division Three with an emphatic 165 run victory over Martley.
Martley opted to field after winning the toss but it went against the visitors as Kempsey notched up 330-2 from their 50 overs.
Skipper Chris Jones (130) and Sam O’Neill (128 no) lead the charge for the hosts who hurried out Martley for 165.
Adam Baker starred with the ball, taking seven wickets for 51 runs from 11 overs, which included three maidens.
MALVERN got off to a slow start in Division Three though as they suffered a 91 run defeat at home to Himbleton.
Himbleton were put into bat after losing the toss before being bowled out for 216.
But six wickets from Jamie Alford halted any hopes of Malvern securing victory as the hosts were sent packing for 125.
LEWIS HOOPER claimed five wickets as Rushwick strolled to a five-wicket victory over Avoncroft in Division Three.
Croft were put into bat after losing the toss and were hustled out for just 133 after 44 overs.
Hooper ended with figures of 5-59 from his 15 overs while Niwantha Indima chipped in with three wickets for 36 runs.
Rushwick needed 27.5 overs to claim the 20-point victory as they scored 134-5 which included 35 extras.
DAVID HARRIS bagged a hat-trick and a five-wicket haul in Old Elizabethans Thirds’ eight-wicket victory at Worcester Thirds in Division Four.
Harris wrecked havoc with the ball, picking up figures of 5-13 while removing the final three Worcester batsmen in consecutive balls as the hosts were bowled out for 100.
Elizabethans wasted little time in securing victory as they reached 101-2 after ten overs with the help of Chris Pearman’s unbeaten 56.
AFTER securing promotion last season West Malvern got their Division Four campaign off to a flying start with an eight-wicket victory at Alveley.
Alveley chose to bat after winning the toss and were hustled for 193 after 42.3 overs as Rowan Dakin (4-77) and Matthew Gammon (3-44) did the damage with the ball.
In reply, Malvern’s opener Philip Chaundy hit an unbeaten 85 as the visitors cruised to 194-2.
Will Lloyd also hit 52 in the maximum point victory.
TONY HUTCHINGS bagged six wickets as Hanley Castle & Upton also raised the curtain on their Division Four season with victory over Tenbury Wells.
Wells batted after winning the toss but did not make much headway as they were skittled out for 147 after 39.5 overs with Hutchings (6-20) removing all of the lower order.
Hanley needed just 35 overs to reach their target as they posted 150-6 to pick up all 24 points.
Rory Mathews (43) and namesake Ben (33) got the lion’s share of the runs.