Bromyard gained an eight-run victory at home to Worcester Nomads despite the efforts with bat and ball of former England swing bowler Phil Newport.

After being put in under cloudy skies, Bromyard were faced with Phil Newport operating in ideal conditions.

However, Ash Bullock weathered the opening overs and Matt Bullock had collected 12 at the other end before slicing a square drive and being caught at point with the score at 21.

This brought Edd Oliver to the crease and he survived numerous lbw appeals from Newport in the early stages. However Oliver and Ash Bullock saw the former England man off, but at some cost to the run rate. When Bullock was caught behind off former Bombay off-spinner Sachin Khartade for 19, the score was 38-2 in the 18th over.

The arrival of Zahid Saeed upped the run-rate and Oliver now too began to pick up his scoring and Bromyard were fairly well-placed at 93-2 in the 32nd over when Zahid edged an arm-ball from Khartade to slip, having made 29.

Pete Whittenbury perished for two before Dave Taylor (19) called Oliver for a suicidal single and the Bromyard skipper was run out for 42 to leave the home side 110-5 with 15 overs left.

Further decent contributions came from Owen Thomas (11), Kevin Williams (21), James Hine (17) and Dave Kyte, who hit his first ball from Khartade for six before being run out off the last ball of the innings for seven. Bromyard made 193 all out from their 50 overs. Sachin Khartade picked up 4-72 from 18 overs for Nomads.

Bromyard's trusty opening attack of Zahid Saeed and Peter Whittenbury once again rose to the challenge and soon Nomads were 43-6.

Newport, however, was at the crease and with Liam O'Driscoll (13) and then Nomads' skipper Darren Lakin they were closing on the target.

Newport had seen off the openers and then played more expansively against the change bowlers, taking 21 off one over, and advanced to 62, with 11 fours. However with his first ball back into the attack, Zahid yorked Newport, knocking back his middle stump, turning the game back Bromyard's way once again.

Number 10 Omerod was then bowled by Whittenbury soon after for a duck to make 174-9. With the score having advanced to 185 and Nomads requiring a further nine runs and Bromyard one wicket for victory, the bowler's end umpire then interrupted the 41st over. He informed both skippers that Bromyard's three hours were up and that they would be docked nine points no matter what the result of the game.

This left Bromyard in a state of shock but this shock soon turned to elation when Zahid bowled Lakin for 39 with the fifth ball of the over, leaving Worcester Nomads 185 all out.

After some consultation in the clubhouse afterwards, the home side was awarded the full 24 points. Zahid returned figures of 4-57 from 17-1 overs and Pete Whittenbury 5-48, his 38th five wicket haul of the season, from 13 overs.

With Barnards Green going down to their first loss, Bromyard lead Worcestershire County League division two by 16 points and are 60 points clear of nearest promotion challengers Netherton, in third.

BROMYARD seconds meanwhile went down to a six-wicket loss in the return game at Bransford.

Battling first, Jeff Bayliss continued his good form with 44, and with fellow opener Chris Simmonds making 49, Brom-yard racked up a useful 216-9 from their 50 overs.

However in reply, former snooker professional Dave Finbow showed that he is not just happy with a cue in his hand, racking up 76no. With C Bland making an undefeated 52, Nomads eased home by six wickets. James Brown and Jeff Bayliss, with two wickets each, were the sole wicket-takers for Bromyard.