WORCESTER Nomads 1st XI enjoyed a successful Bank Holiday weekend, with two good Crusader Worcester-shire County League Division Two results against well-placed opposition.

A victory against Brockhampton, defending a low total was followed up with a winning draw against Bewdley.

Saturday's fixture away to Brockhampton saw runs hard to come by, with both sides struggling to come to terms with a damp pitch and accurate aggressive bowling. Nomads batted first and found themselves facing a mountain, with the score at 31-4 and 36-5, largely thanks to the accuracy of Wargen, with 4-14.

Derek Austin (34) and Roger Dixon (19) then began a comeback partnership of 51 before Austin fell run out chasing a second overthrow. Williams then continued to chase the bowling, making an invaluable 25, before Brockhampton's new pro Malik finished the tail off, leaving Nomads on 130 from the full 43 overs, due to the rain-delayed start.

An excellent all-round team performance saw Brockhampton under pressure from the off. Williams removed Price and Jinks took Walker out before a charged-up Steve Bowman bowled with fire and pace to rip through the middle order, taking 5-25. Madzarevic also took three crucial wickets for only 15 as the home side collapsed from 79-4 to 106 all out, leaving Nomads winners by 24 runs.

The holiday Monday fixture proved more frustrating as Bewdley managed to see the overs out to ensure a draw, having been reeling on 5-3.

Nomads were indebted to a fine innings from Blake Raymond, who batted with calm and precision in an innings of 61. Nomads got good backing from Steve Bowman with 34 and Dave Pearson with 32, and despite a few shaky overs in the middle, set a challenging target of 222 to win. Bennett took 6-85 for the visitors.

Nomads ripped into the heart of Bewdley's front-line batsmen, with Ollie Griffiths looking particularly hostile, removing three of the top four without a run to their name. Jinks and Whitby kept the momentum going, but Bewdley were indebted to a useful and effectively match-saving stand between Meek (28) and Bennett (35). Austin came on and broke the partnership, removing both players, but Harris and Combes were able to withstand Nomads best efforts, to finish on 151-8.

The Second XI didn't have as successful a time with a losing draw at home to Brockhampton and a lacklustre defeat at Bewdley.

On Saturday they were indebted to stand-in skipper Dave Finbow with a resilient unbeaten 31 as the home side were outgunned. Batting first the visitors amassed 235-8, thanks largely to Parker with 61 and Mason with 54. Brown bowled well, with 3-54 from 17 overs, supported by Lee Wilks with 3-43.

In reply Alex Isaacs was steady at the top of the innings with 30, but only Finbow was able to contribute down the order, as Nomads finished well behind on 107-6.

Against Bewdley the home side batted first, and Nomads were happy to tie them to only 180-5, with a good performance from the bowlers, who all contributed. Miles Illingworth with 1-25 from 11 was perhaps the pick. Edwards was unbeaten on 58 for the home side

In reply Barney Akhtar led the way, in his usual aggressive style, making 42 before falling to Edwards. Nomads middle order threw wickets away, but Wilks with 27 and Finbow, again unbeaten on 17, offered some hope but it wasn't long-lived, as Bewdley duly finished the game as Nomads were dismissed for 130. Edwards completed a good afternoon, with 5-64, and Wilkes took 4-50.

The Sunday 2nd XI performed much better than the previous week, when hosting a game against Wednesbury.

The away side were invited to bat first and it looked a little ominous as they raced to 62 in quick time, helped by a couple of missed chances. Jones then cracked the ball straight to a fielder to be dismissed for 40, and only fellow-opener Hart with 33 looked in good touch.

Fourteen-year-old Jonathan Cook, making his senior debut made an impact, giving the ball plenty of air and the batsmen plenty of problems, yielding a fine return of 3-21 from his five overs. Dave Pearson wrapped the innings up, taking 3-10 as the visitors were dismissed for 155.

Matts snr and Pimlow looked comfortable early on before both fell to deliveries which held back on them. Chris Marsh looked good in the middle order with 30 before falling as the chase began. Skipper Pearson batting down the order carried the fight on, unbeaten on 32, but the match ended in a draw with Nomads 18 runs short.

In a Thirds league game on Saturday, reduced to 40 overs, a battling performance by Nomads youngsters was denied victory by the rain against Bewdley.

After being inserted on a pudding skipper Kelly (27) stuck in for 24 overs and with good support form Taylor (22) and Stafford (16) aided by 37 extras Nomads were eventually bowled out for 129.

In reply Nomads got two quick wickets thanks to Matt Ormrod (2-11) well supported by Guy Davis, James Smith and Martyn Emson. When the rain came with 21 overs having been bowled Bewdley's run rate of 1.9 per over was vastly inferior to Nomads 3.7. The match however was drawn.