OPENING matches in the 2004 WCB Evesham Indoor League brought success for Ashton and Elmley Castle.

The former looked in danger of losing out to Overbury after being restricted to 87-5 but a superb display in the field earned victory by 21 runs.

Gillett was the night's star man and his spell of 1-8 with the ball was one of the chief reasons for Ashton's failure to pass three figures.

It was left to Jason Haines to give the final score of 87-5 some respectability with a hard hitting undefeated 28, while Banks and Turner also chipped in with some lusty blows.

The bowlers were again on top when Overbury took the crease but it was a couple of fine catches by Turner that swung the game Ashton's way.

Pressure also resulted in a series of run-outs, while Gillett's knock of 27 proved in vain as Overbury ended on a disappointing 66-6.

Runs weren't a problem in the night's second match as Elmley Castle almost matc-hed the previous game's total of runs after being asked to bat by Stanway.

Simon Cooper and Ian Woodford hammered 47 off the opening four overs before their retirements saw Karl Sheward and Geoff Print keep the scorers busy with a stand of 40.

A wayward over from Bellingham late on added 19 runs to the total and 144-2 was to prove too many for the chasers.

However, they got off to a flier and matched Castle's four-over total but lost two wickets in doing so.

Bellingham and Colwall both scored freely and the match was in the melting pot until the former's demise looking for a quick single.

Stanway refused to shut up shop and a brief flurry of runs saw Colwall and Griffiths edge them back into the game until Wheatley stumped man of the match Colwall one short of a half-century as the chase ended on 115-6.

Tuesday results: Evesham Casuals 129-3, St Benedict's 90-4. Bidford 84, Dumbleton 85-3.

Fixtures for January 20: Stanway v Overbury (8pm); Elmley Castle v Ashton (9).