SWING bowler Matthew Roberts ensured his start to the season was a memorable one by recording career-best figures of 8-21.

The 39-year-old stole the show for Stourport III in an eight-wicket victory in their Worcestershire League Division Five curtain-raiser against Hallow.

He took advantage of unsettled conditions to clean bowl seven of his eight victims during an 11.4-over spell that also included three maidens.

With Adam Sellick taking the other two wickets, Hallow were dismissed for just 70, allowing the hosts to wrap-up a comfortable opening day victory.

Roberts’ efforts have earned him the accolade of the first Worcester News player of the week for 2015, for which he wins a £25 Fearnley Factory Shop voucher.

He said: “It’s a fantastic achievement for myself. I am keen to get back in the second team so I am trying my best to impress the skipper.

“I have been at the club almost 20 years. I have played a lot of second team cricket and recently I have played in the thirds and I am trying to win my place back.

“Hopefully, I can keep these performance up and catch the skipper’s eye.”

Roberts, whose previous best figures were 7-15 in a Sunday match, continued: “The plan was to win the toss, put them in and skittle them out before the rain came and, luckily, the plan worked.

“We knew the rain was coming so the plan was to get them out quite cheaply and we managed to put them under pressure.

“The conditions helped me because it was windy but a lot of it was down to luck really. The ball was swinging nicely and I clean bowled seven wickets.

“They are my best figures and I am led to believe the best for the club as well.”

Stourport, captained by Allan Moss, made light work of their target in 14.4 overs with Ethan Lockwood (34 not out) being supported by Karl Baker (18).