GLASSES of champagne rather than runs and wickets were the order of the day at Worcester Nomads Cricket Club as they celebrated a double dose of success.

With no play in Worcestershire League Division One on Saturday due to rain, Nomads were crowned champions.

And the mood at the Bransford club improved even further when they clinched the Worcestershire League Second XI Division One title thanks to a four-wicket victory at Evesham.

First XI captain Ben Schiffmann said the two domestic triumphs showcased the “strength” of the club.

“We are delighted to see the hard work of so many people pay off,” said Schiffmann, whose side will return to the Birmingham League along with the seconds, captained by Malcolm Jones, next season.

“There is a good mixture of youth and experience within the first and second team, which I think is a very important factor in being a successful club.”

Nomads were relegated back to the Worcestershire League in 2013 and Schiffmann said they had made it their mission to return to Birmingham League Division Three since then.

“We got promoted four years ago and came straight back down unfortunately,” he said.

“But we set out as a club with a three-year plan to get us back into the Birmingham League and it has worked out that way.

“We came runners-up last year but we have kept building and put together a great squad.”

Overseas all-rounder Innocent Kaia has been key to their success, having racked up more than 900 runs and 27 wickets.

Opening bowler Richard Henry is the first team’s leading wicket-taker this season, having claimed 32 victims with his best figures of 6-14 coming against Pedmore.

But Schiffmann insisted there were a number of players who had made valuable contributions to their chase for number one spot and their Midweek Knockout Cup success in June.

“Our bowling has been key as we tend to bowl teams out cheaply,” he said. “But we don’t rely on one person to do all our work. We are a good team with a good spirit which has seen us through.”

Schiffmann insisted they “owe” the other clubs in the league to take the final two games of the season against Hagley and Colwall “seriously”.

However, the 41-year-old admitted his players were excited by the prospect of pitting their wits in the Birmingham League again.

“When we went up last time, the problem was we lost a lot of key players, so we hope not to do that this time,” said Schiffmann, who has skippered the first team for the past five seasons.

“That is not to say we don’t need to strengthen as we will try our best over the winter to do that.

“But I think we will go in with the basis of a good squad capable of maintaining our spot in the Birmingham League.”