EXPERIENCED bowler Aneesh Thomas took six wickets as Burghill, Tillington and Weobley seconds started their campaign with victory against Barnards Green thirds.

The Burgs won the toss and bravely chose to bat which was difficult due to the recent wet conditions with only two batsmen, Archie Stevenson (12) and Dencil Das (11), and extras (18) reaching double figures.

Barnards Green looked odds on to chase down a target of 78 to win, but Thomas had other ideas.

He ripped through Barnards Green upper and middle order, finishing with six wickers for 10 off nine consecutive overs.  Five batsmen were clean bowled giving credence to the adage ‘bowl full and straight’ at the start of the season.

Opener Kevin Golder (34) put up firm resistance before Burghill captain Rob Garrard came into the attack to seal the victory.

Barnards Green fell short by 11 runs to give the Burgs a deserving win and 20 points.

Bartestree & Lugwardine celebrated a momentous day in the club’s history as they opened their Worcestershire County League Division One campaign with a victory by 23 runs against Droitwich Spa.

However, the result looked far from certain early on as with the first ball of the season Matt Tulacz lost his wicket.

However, Edward Milner was batting well and was joined by the ever reliable Andy Rogers. The pair put on a brilliant 73 before Milner was stumped for a well-made 50. 

Unfortunately for the hosts old habits seem to die hard and a classic Bartestree collapse unfolded as they slipped from 92-3 to 102-9, losing six wickets for 10 runs.

Marcus Ashcroft (23) and youngster Stanley Lunt (7) wagged the tail before disaster struck as the former fell seriously injured and was diagnosed with a torn hamstring with his side out for 132.

It took a while for the hosts to get their first wicket, but afterwards they took them at regular intervals, Max Backhouse (2-26) and Ryan Trattell (3-36) spinning them to victory.

Bartestree secured the victory with a thundering yorker from Adam Davies (3-18) leaving the visitors 23 runs short of their target.

Bartestree & Lugwardine seconds got their Division 7 South campaign off to winning start beating Birlingham by seven wickets.

Opening bowlers Ethan Barlett (3-29) and Owen Beynon (3-21) bowled superbly, with the former trapping the opener lbw, and the other opener with Ranjit William catching.

William chipped in with a brace for 33 off his nine overs helped by a sharp take from Alun Evans behind the sticks.

 Bartestree opener Ben Simpkin set the tone hitting 80 runs from 86 balls as the visitors ran out clear winners.