AUSTRALIAN overseas player Jamie Banfield seems to be finding his feet at Wormelow.

The 20-year-old followed up a century the previous week in a defeat at Feckenham by picking up five wickets last Saturday as the villagers bounced back with a nine-wicket success against visiting Netherton at Kennel Field.

The Aussie was then at the crease with an unbeaten 30 as Wormelow cruised to their victory.

“He’s a young lad and he seems to be finding his feet now, especially with the bat,” said Wormelow chairman Nigel Evans.

“It’s taken him a while to get acquainted with the English summer but he’s really bedding in well now.”

While Banfield was the leading wicket-taker, it was another young bowler, Lee Watkins, who made the early break-throughs after Wormelow skipper Ben Owens had won the toss and decided to field.

The paceman ripped out the first three Netherton batsmen to leave the Midlanders struggling on 35-3.

Although the score advanced to 55 before the next wicket fell, it then became the Banfield show as the seamer picked up 5-34 from his 16 overs.

“Jamie has had some problems with shin-splints so he’s been a bit hot and cold,” said the villagers’ wicket-keeper batsman Tom Bevan.

“But this time he really hit the ground running.

“Lee Watkins has been consistent every week and we missed him in the first four games when he was not able to play.

“His accuracy is the key thing and the pair of them work well together.”

Experienced Shaun Waldron also gave valuable support, picking up the other wicket at a cost of just three runs from five accurate overs.

“Looking at it from outside, it might have appeared a great toss to win but actually it was the best pitch we have had at Wormelow all year,” said Bevan.

“There was plenty of pace in it and good carry for the bowlers.”

The quality of the pitch soon became apparent when Wormelow began their replay with Banfield and skipper Ben Owens experiencing few problems as the home side approached their target.

“Jamie and Ben batted very positively and maybe that will be the start of a better run for us,” said Bevan who, unusually, was not required to bat with Tim Boulter coming in to guide the villagers home after Owens had been dismissed just short of the target.

“It was a good result but we have a tough match at Enville, who are the league leaders, on Saturday when we have a couple of players missing.”

With Wormelow’s second and third-teams also winning on Saturday, chairman Evans was left with a smile on his face.

“So far, unavailability has been holding us back a little,” he said.

“Young players form the basis of the club and we’re promoting youth although it would be nice to have a couple more experienced players.

“Off the field the club is strong and we have some splendid facilities.

“Volunteers have been the key for us - we have a strong band of people who work very hard to ensure the smooth running of the club.

“Now we hope that this result will be the one to start us rising in the table - we still have to play the teams at the bottom of the table.”