MIKE Rogers took a career best 7-44 from 16.2 overs as Droitwich Spa Cricket Club First XI began their league season with an emphatic seven-wicket victory over Ombersley.

Spa skipper Steve Walsh won the toss and put the hosts in for last Saturday's Worcestershire County League opener.

Spa made a great start when Rogers dismissed Robinson with the third ball of the second over.

But the major breakthrough occurred in Rogers' next over when he dismissed ex-Worcestershire all-rounder Duncan Catterall, caught at mid-on.

Rogers continued to trouble the Ombersley batsmen and picked up the first five wickets on his way to career best bowling figures for Spa Firsts and was backed up by Adrian Field (1-36 from 17 overs).

A tidy fielding display and two wickets from Gary Cartwright resulted in Ombersley being skittle out for just 109.

Dave Scott-Walker and Jerome Connor, who put on a 188-run partnership in a friendly against Harborne last week, started confidently against an excellent opening attack of Catterall and Sealey.

The pair took Spa to 24 in nine overs before Catterall removed Connor's off stump with a quick delivery.

Connor's dismissal brought Chetan Soma to the crease. Soma and Scott-Walker added a further 20 runs before the latter was bowled by Sealey for 18.

When Ian Duggan was bowled by Catterall three overs later, Ombersley had given themselves a chance.

However, Soma (40 not out) and Nigel Haddock (20no) guided Spa to victory in the 29th over with a sound partnership of 49.

Spa's Sunday fixture was abandoned due to bad weather.