WORCESTER got their Crusader Worcestershire League Division One season under way with a convincing victory over newly-promoted Bewdley.
Having won the toss, Bewdley bowled first and two early wickets from Martyn Carr seemed to justify the decision.
Worcester fought back well, led by Richard Franklin and captain Liam Kelleher (35), to reach 130-4.
Franklin, hampered by a back injury, was out for 68 and, despite lusty blows from James Padden (28) and Dan Keyte (23), the hosts were dismissed for 211.
Carr (3-38) and Michael Harris (3-43) were the pick of the bowlers.
Worcester’s youthful seam attack reduced Bewdley to 26-5 through Padden (2-18) and Liam Weston (2-20) with only Simon Mauger (34) standing firm.
Young Jack Ellis destroyed the lower middle order with 4-37, helped by wicketkeeper Josh Barrett’s four catches.
Despite a last-wicket stand of 39 from Pete Arnold (23 not out) and Sam Beasley (21), Keyte took the last wicket to ensure a 90-run victory.
Meanwhile, Old Vigornians enjoyed a comfortable 10-wicket win over Hanley Castle and Upton in Division Four South.
Castle took the surprising decision to bat first but were four players short.
Asmat Riaz and Will Lucas reduced the visitors to 17-3 but Alisdair Naulls and Tristan Robinson provided resistance until the 35th over.
Phil Burdon returned to the attack to claim the wicket of Naulls (42) and Riaz (4-19) mopped up the rest for 108.
With the weather beginning to close in, both teams agreed to get some overs in before tea.
Nick Major cashed in on Castle’s lack of players to strike 76no with Osman Fiaz moving to 30no to give OVs a comfortable 10-wicket, 24-point win inside 12 overs.
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