Bromsgrove 228-5 Statford-upon-Avon 161 all out

Bromsgrove won by 67 runs

BROMSGROVE kick started their season by stunning promotion chasing Stratford at St Godwald's in the Birmingham and District League Division One on Saturday.

The Boars, who had been struggling for runs all season, ended their drought with the willow with a performance that showed the team has depth down the order.

Jordan Rose top scored with 63 runs as Bromsgrove set a hard target to chase, while Nick Husbands bagged four wickets to keep Stratford at bay.

Captain Nick Davies said: "Once again fortress St Godwald's has really helped us out. We don't lose many games there."

"Our batting was still under par but Jordan Rose and Julian Court had a great partnership to make sure we had a big total.

"We got an early wicket and despite one of their lad's scoring a century we bowled really well."

The home side were put into bat by Stratford after losing the toss but made a bright start.

Opener Simon Allison hit a solid 41 runs before he was dismissed by Ricketts. Davies (51) made his half century before Hancock bowled him. Omar Ali (11) and Mark Evenson (4) were unable to make an impact but Jordan Rose (63) and Julian Court (35) made sure the Boars reached 228-5 in 55 overs.

Husbands (54-4) handed his side the perfect breakthrough when he had Solly Ndima (4) caught by Allison.

Despite the set back Stratford opener Luke Palmer got his team back in the game with 115.

Bromsgrove made sure the wickets tumbled around Palmer, with Soulby ran out and Mark Evenson dismissing Martin Donald (6) and Steve Lamb (1).

Davies struck to get rid of David Lamb (0) and David Black (13), before Husbands removed Ricketts for a duck.

Davies then removed Hancock and Husbands dismissed Tom Bales, as Bromsgrove's Warwickshire opponents collapsed to 161 all out in the 37th over.

Davies said: "This is a great result, it really gives us a boost. Our batting and bowling were also very good and I think we're going in the right direction."