NOMADS 1st XI began their fight to return to the WCL Division One away to Eastnor, and in tricky conditions came away without the result they were looking for.

Eastnor batted second and certainly had the better of the weather. Nomads found the wet ball a problem to bowl with on a soft wicket, and were unable to prevent Eastnor from cruising to a straightforward six-wicket victory. Nomads' basic problem, however, was the inevitable middle-order batting collapse.

Once again the reliable Malcolm Jones, with 70, found himself the backbone of the innings, but it is essential he finds support from the other players if the season is to prove anything other than a disappointment.

In the reverse fixture, between the 2nd XI's, two evenly matched sides produced an entertaining encounter amongst the April rain showers at Bransford.

Skipper Anton Madzarevic won the toss and invited the visitors to bat first. Goodman showed early season nerves with a suicidal run-out, before Baker (36), Astbury (39) and Jones (29) established the basis of a good total.

Stefan Rees, despite a shaky start, bowled an excellent spell and suddenly Eastnor were on the back foot. Rees finished his spell with a worthy 5-56 from 14 overs.

Nazeer made 46 with some strong hitting before being run out by Pearson and Nick Haggar stroked the ball around to make 22 before Eastnor were all out off the final ball for 204.

In reply Nomads got off to a disastrous start, losing three early wickets with only 15 on the board. Jerry Matts was the only batsman who showed much likelihood of producing runs and found a partner in Gerry Kelly. The two pushed the score to 75 before Kelly fell for 18 to a sharp catch low at mid-wicket and when Ludwig fell first ball, Eastnor were back on top.

The turning point may have been dropping Matts on 38, before he went on to make 55. The match really turned back Nomads way thanks to a superb innings from Dave Pearson, left down the order. Together with Matts he pushed the score to 138 before Matts fell. There was still much to be done, but Pearson punished the attack severely with anything vaguely off line, finishing undefeated on 73, including 15 fours. Together with Stef Rees, the pair duly finished the match off for a two wicket win for Nomads with four overs to spare. Hurrell was the pick of the Eastnor bowlers with 4-41.