PROMOTED Eastnor started their new cricket season at home to Netherton in Division One of the Crusader Worcestershire County League.

EASTNOR I v NETHERTON I

The weather played a big part in the match with the result going against Eastnor and they were disappointed to end in a losing draw.

Eastnor were put into bat first with the opening batsmen D Baker (30) and K Fortey (32) putting on a partnership of 66 runs for the first wicket.

Wickets then fell at a steady rate along with further runs, until a whirlwind 48 from Shahid allowed Eastnor to close on 211-8 off 50 overs.

In reply Netherton had the help of rain to reduce the total needed to claim a winning draw. From 36 overs they had to score only 152. This they managed in the final over with the loss of five wickets, S Hall top scoring on 43. Wickets fell to Jim Sandford 3-62 and Shahid 2-60.

NETHERTON II v EASTNOR II

ON a cold afternoon Eastnor Seconds travelled to Birmingham to play their first Division One Second XI game of the new season.

Newly elected captain Steve Emery was asked to bat on a green wicket. Eastnor were soon in trouble as Emery was run out for just two. Pat Locke (6) played a lovely cover drive before being bowled. It was left to Dave Jones (22) and Asif to put on a mini revival. Dave Jones played some lovely shots before he was given out lbw to a ball that kept low.

Matt Phillips stroked the ball around with Asif before he was bowled to a ball that also kept low on a damp wicket. Tom Hurrell played some excellent batting strokes to race to 23, before he too was bowled. With the Eastnor tail failing to wag they were all out for just 98.

Eastnor's new look team contained no fewer than seven bowlers and they never gave up hope. The opening attack of Wadley and Hurrell contained Netherton to just 17 off ten overs. However, the breakthrough didn't come till Asif took the wicket of Collwick (12).

Once again the Eastnor bowlers bowled a tight line with Phillips being unlucky not to take a couple of wickets. Tom Hurrell came back into the attack to claim the wicket of Powell (27) and Wadley claimed his first wicket for the club having Patel (7) caught in the covers.

Eastnor made a good game of it and it took Netherton 39 overs to score the 99 runs required.

Eastnor play Bromyard tomorrow (Saturday), first XI are away and seconds are at home.