NEWLY promoted Worcester put up a brave fight as they returned to the Birmingham and District League fold with a three-wicket defeat at Stratford in Division Three.

Ex-Worcestershire player Chris Whelan (70 not out) led Stratford to victory as they overhauled the visitors’ 172-9 with eight overs to spare.

Worcester’s top-order struggled against movement and they slipped to 41-4. Mohammed Adeel and debutant Owen Morris led Worcester’s recovery and added 35 before Adeel was caught on the boundary for 22.

Morris was out for 40, while James Wagstaff made 17no. Tom Grundy was Stratford’s outstanding bowler, taking 3-12 from 10 overs. Liam Weston snapped up two early wickets to reduce Stratford’s reply to 6-2.

Rob West and Dexter Purser took the score to 53 before Weston struck again, removing West for 28 to bring Whelan to the crease.

Stratford consolidated and it took the introduction of Luke Deeprose to make the next breakthrough, grabbing two quick wickets to reduce Stratford to 97-5.

Whelan remained at the crease, although further wickets from Wagstaff and Weston had Stratford teetering at 135-7. The former County pro steered Stratford home, despite Weston finishing with 4-22.

Ombersley kicked off their Premier Division campaign with a 58-run defeat against Berkswell.

Mark Best struck 101 and Chris Whittock hit 40 in Berkswell’s 267, while Arti Fiaz and Matt Rawnsley took three wickets.

Liam Gwynne’s 78 led Ombersley’s pursuit but they were restricted to 209-9.

Brockhampton’s Joe Crichard hit 101no but Kidderminster Victoria took 20 points from a five-wicket win in Herefordshire after chasing down a target of 238-6.

Nathan Round (82no) and Matt Pardoe (73) led the chase as Kidderminster cruised home.

In Division One, Alex Hepburn’s unbeaten 93 steered Barnards Green to a one-wicket home win against Moseley.

Andy Umeed hit 79 in Moseley’s 155 with Alex Hepburn taking 3-33. Hepburn then starred with the bat despite Mark Adair bagging 5-42.

In Division Two, Jamie Boyle top scored with 54 in Old Elizabethans’ 250-6 against rivals Eastnor who were then shot out for just 81.