THE FIRST Herefordshire cricket derby of the season didn’t disappoint as Bromyard and Burghill, Tillington and Weobley played out an agonising draw.

The result was Bromyard firsts’ second tie in 20 years of Worcestershire League cricket as they fell one run short of victory after reaching their target of 166.

Bromyard were regretting the decision to put their visitors into bat as opener Alex Hedges hit 73 including seven fours and two sixes off 101 ball.

His stand put Burghill in a commanding position of 141-3 only for the bowling of David Taylor 6-36 to draw the hosts back into the tie with Burghill all out for 166 off 45.3 overs.

Bromyard got off to a poor start in their run chase losing two early wickets before captain Zahid Saeed (31) kept his bat steady and put on a stand of 40 with Josh Van Rensburg (32) to give their side a chance at 98-4.

However, after his impressive batting display Hedges was equally as effective with the ball taking 5-28 with his side bowling Bromyard out to earn a share of the points.

Meanwhile, half-centuries from skipper Ben Cooke and all-rounder Fergus Cameron proved decisive as Colwall opened their Worcestershire League Division 1 campaign with a comfortable four-wicket win over Coombs Wood at Stowe Lane on Saturday.

Chasing a visiting total of 217-8, in ideal conditions, Cooke and Cameron shared a crucial second-wicket stand of 84 to put the hosts in command and although a flurry of late wickets briefly offered the visitors a lifeline, victory was eventually sealed with three overs in hand.