Stourbridge 56 all out

Droitwich 57-1

Droitwich win by nine wickets

DROITWICH turned on the style in their opening fixture of the Worcestershire County League Division One to inflict a crushing defeat on Stourbridge.

Australian batsman Josh Staines was given little time to shine for the title contenders on his debut for Spa, after Stourbridge's batting order capitulated early on.

Captain Steve Walsh won the toss and decided to unleash his bowlers first.

It didn't take long for the breakthrough to be made when Mike Rogers had Doolat caught by Richard Ferley at second slip.

Wicketkeeper Walsh then caught Stourbridge's second opener off the next ball to give Droitwich the perfect start.

Adrian Field then got in on the act - dismissing Meehan and having Farhat caught off his delivery to leave Stourbridge on 24-4.

A third wicket for Field had Stourbridge at 28-5, before Martin Woodward removed Bradley, while Karl Goddard dismissed the order's final specialist batsmen by bowling out Woods.

Mike Rogers and Goddard cleaned up Stourbridge's tail end, before Field grabbed his fourth wicked to bowl out the opposition.

Droitwich's batsmen wasted little time in over taking their slim target.

Paul Bryan lead the way with 25 not out, while Staines showed glimpses off his talent, hitting a six as he reached 11, before Farhat dismissed him.

Jerome Conner (16) though joined Bryan at the crease to steer Droitwich to a comfortable first win of the season.