IN his role as Malvern Theatres chief executive, Nic Lloyd is used to rubbing shoulders with the stars of stage and screen.

This week alone he will work alongside Felicity Kendall and former Eastenders actress Kara Tointon when the popular venue puts on the play Relatively Speaking.

But now the 58-year-old can enjoy the limelight himself after one of the best spells in his sideline as an off-spin bowler for Worcester Nomads seconds.

In the space of two Worcestershire League Division One matches over the Bank Holiday weekend, Lloyd beat the elements to claim an impressive 11 wickets.

He took 6-26 in 12 overs in a commanding 10-wicket triumph against Oldswinford on Saturday and followed it up with 5-61 off 17 against Droitwich Spa on Monday, a game that ended being washed out by the rain.

But Lloyd’s efforts were still enough to secure him a £30 Fearnley Factory Shop voucher as the latest Worcester News player-of-the-week.

“I had a good weekend,” he said. “With both games, the rest of the team supported me in the field and caught well, which is often how a spinner gets his wickets.

“I am one of the older players and have been playing league cricket for a long time. But I was in the groove and it’s the first time I have got two lots of five wickets in consecutive games. Confidence has a lot to do with it.

“I have taken 35 wickets this season so it’s been going very well considering the games that have been called off by the weather.”

Lloyd, who was quick to praise the efforts of the groundsmen on both days for preparing good surfaces amid challenging conditions, has been a spinner throughout his career.

It is a skill he has been allowed to develop at Nomads and against Droitwich he combined with fellow tweaker Dominic Badger to bowl a total of 34 overs.

“The club enjoys the playing of spinners and bowling them so the captains are very supportive of it,” he said.

Lloyd’s efforts helped consolidate second place in the table for Nomads, now under the guidance of Malcolm Jones following Matt Ormerod’s elevation to the firsts, although they are still 52 points behind leaders Hagley.

However, they could still find themselves in the Birmingham League next season by virtue of their first XI being 11 points clear at the top of Division One and on course for promotion.

“Both sides are having a very good season and there is competition for places which is good,” added Lloyd.

“We are excited by the prospect of going up to the Birmingham League but it’s going to go to the wire.”