SEEKING a second successive win, Nomads 2nds had the better part of the game and were only denied by a valiant last stand between and Williams and Bradley.

MARTLEY v WORCESTER NOMADS II

Nomads set a first innings total of 214-4, despite losing Finbow early on. Marsh with 67 and Pearson with 40 made steady progress on a slow wicket of variable bounce. Matts came in and made a quick-fire 37, which pushed the run rate up. Bland and Clear saw the visitors to 214. In reply, Smith fell first over, and Martley struggled from thereon in. Madzarevic and Williams continued their run of form and victory seemed on the cards when the final pair came to the wicket with 13 overs left.

On Sunday, two young sides met at Bransford as Nomads 1sts took on Avoncroft.

Nomads batted first and Blake Raymond looked in good touch from the off, with some lovely drives through the covers as he made his way to 74. Marsh showed good aggression, making 24, and Pearson made 31 unbeaten as Nomads declared on 180-5.

Only a fine 77 from Bird, showing aggression when possible and shielding the lower order when necessary, kept Avoncroft in the game. He fell off the penultimate ball as Avoncroft fell 39 short