EVEN the presence of former England paceman Phil Newport among the opposition was unable to prevent Bromyard moving back to the top of the Crusader Worcester County League Division 2 with a tense eight-run win over Worcester Nomads.

The ex-Worcestershire man, now aged 42, caused the early Bromyard batting some problems with his swing bowling in helpful conditions and later cracked a fine 62 to take Nomads to the brink of victory.

But Bromyard had their own trump cards in Pete Whittenbury, who took 5-48, and Zahid Saeed, who followed up a useful 29 with 4-57 as Bromyard edged home.

Bromyard struggled in the early stages after being put in to bat in cloudy conditions but skipper Edd Oliver (42) and Zahid, well backed up by a number of other double-figure scores down the order, ensured that the home side reached 193.

With the Nomads score at 185-9, Bromyard suffered a blow when they were informed that they had exceeded their allotted three hours bowling time and would be docked nine points whatever the game's outcome.

That disappointment was quickly put aside, however, when Zahid bowled Darren Lakin (39) to clinch a narrow victory, which, with the defeat of nearest rivals Barnards Green, returned the Herefordshire club to the top of the table with a lead of 16 points.