EVESHAM started the season with an impressive five-wicket victory at newly promoted Stourport.

It came as no surprise when winning the toss that Stourport batted as they boasted six batsmen from last season who all averaged over 30 in the top 12 of the league averages.

That was last year but Evesham were soon on top as quick thinking from Will Bailey ran out opener Turner.

Next up, South African pace bowler Warren Irvine sent the other opener's off stump out the ground and, after five overs, the home side had slumped to 9-2 without a run coming off the bat.

Then came Stourport's only resistance. A fine (47) from Cook and a gritty 52 from Wildagast moved them to 100 before Bailey had the former caught behind with his first delivery.

Skipper Gregory then turned to last week's hero Quinn Jones who again showed his class with a spell of 4-36 from 17 overs and a tight spell from Jon Gregory - 1-15 from seven overs - reduced Stourport to 168 all out with Irvine taking the last two wickets for figures of 3-51.

But, when Bailey brilliantly caught Gregory at gully it looked like being a real dog-fight for the Evesham batsmen with bad weather looming in the air.

Gary Lewis (46) and Nick Collins (25), on his return, got Evesham halfway to their target.

Paul Jones then joined last season's top league run-maker Barry Clements and the pair took the reply to within 15 runs of victory when Jones was caught for a hard-hitting 40. This left Simon Cadwallader and man of the match Clements, whose huge six took him to 53, to guide the visitors to maximum points.

Saturday v Feckenham at home: Gregory, Lewis, Collins, Clements, Granacki, P Jones, Cadwallader, Q Jones, Prince, Bailey, Irvine.