A BANK holiday plus the start of a new season could only have been heralded by one of the coldest starts to a cricket season for some time.

Nomads' start was not helped by two fixtures being cancelled, again with sides failing to turn up. The 2nd XI did get under way under a somewhat chilly breeze to local neighbours Victoria on Saturday.

The visitors were invited to open and never really got over the loss of skipper Cook, run out for one early on. All the Nomads bowlers were on top of their game, showing no sign of early season frailties.

Youngster Guy Davis showed no worries when invited to open the bowling, and turned in a useful spell of 1-13 from four overs. Girling and Brown kept the impetus going, and Sandbrook bowled a fine spell, taking 2-8 from five overs, including the wicket of Amos for 23 with an excellent delivery.

Only he and opener Roden (29) came to terms with a slow track. Pearson wrapped the tail up, with 3-2, as Victoria were dismissed for 94.

The reply didn't get off to a good start, both Ranscombe and Leach back in the pavilion with the score on only five. Finbow with 19 and Pearson (28no) steadied the ship, and saw the home side over half way there.

Skipper Steve Bowman then strode to the wicket and summarily demolished the attack, unbeaten on 37, including four sixes and three fours, to guide the side home by a comfortable seven wickets.