WORCESTER Nomads ‘A’ made a great Worcestershire Cricket Board Indoor League Division One start by beating champions Droitwich ‘A’.

The competition at Royal Grammar School, Worcester, also saw Division Two holders Droitwich ‘B’ defeated by Malvern, who enjoyed their first league win.

Much-changed Droitwich ‘A’ (45 all out) lost to Nomads ‘A’ (49-2) by four wickets as Richard Henry produced a fine three-over spell of 3-17.

In reply, Droitwich reduced the Bransford side to 10-2 but from then it was a formality.

Nomads ‘B’ (115-6) lost to Royal Grammar School (116- 2) with three balls left despite getting off to a flier through Paul Gardner (25 retired) and Jamie Oliver (17).

From 50-1 in four overs, Dom Badger (15) and Oliver Ranscombe (22) scored at a slower rate before a flurry of wickets in the last over.

The students finished runners- up last year with Dan Goodyear (26 retired) and Jack Taylor (20) survivors from the previous side.

Their match-winning partnership of 63 was added to by Elliot Bartlett (20 not out), Joe Watts (18) and Mark Jones (10no), aided by wayward bowling.

In Division Two, Malvern (102-5) beat Droitwich ‘B’ (76 all out) by 26 runs with four balls left.

Openers Ash Jones and Andy Cullen exited early but Anthony Arnold (28no) and Lewis Hill (33) rescued the innings with Steve Lake (14).

They passed the ton in the final over and Droitwich produced little with the bat in reply as Hill claimed 2-21.

Nomads ‘C’ (111-3) beat Bromsgrove (58 all out) by 53 runs. The villagers set a target of 111 through Patrick O’Driscoll (28no), Tim Robinson- Law (24) and 24 wides.

Tom Webb (11) and Josh Hawes (13) produced a final partnership before Nigel Dexter claimed 3-8 in reply.