WORCESTER Nomads 1st XI took the headlines this weekend with a thoroughly emphatic victory over Lye in this Worcestershire Cricket League Division One game at Bransford.

Once again Derek Austin was the man in destructive form, but this weekend with the bat rather than the ball. Lye were invited to bat first, and were dismissed for only 103 runs. Paceman Steve Bowman put the skids under Lye, with four early wickets for only 15 runs from 11 overs, and the visitors never looked like recovering.

Skipper Andy Prickett took three to keep the momentum going, and youth player Ollie Griffiths who stepped in as a late replacement bowled exceptionally well, to claim his first senior wickets for the 1st XI, with 2-23. Derek Austin then demonstrated his all-round ability, as he saw the home side home in a bare 12 overs. Austin shot to an unbeaten 76, off only 38 balls, hitting 11 4's and 4 6's in the process.

Fellow opener Malcolm Jones was still there as Nomads made the necessary 104, with 19 extras, sealing the win by 10 wickets.

The 2nd XI in the corresponding fixture with Lye 2nds got themselves into a winning position, but then threw it away again.

Invited to bat, Nomads made an impressive 272-8, and Chris Bland (78) and Jerry Matts (76) shared in a third-wicket partnership of 146. Nomads cause was not helped when opening bowler Nick Williams pulled up in the third over with hamstring problems, and didn't bowl again. Lye made runs in line with the required rate throughout their innings, and won the game by 5 wickets, with 10 balls to spare.

The 3rd XI entertained local rivals Ombersley, and almost won this game after setting Ombersley a target of 182, but Ombersley held out with 9 wkts down.

Ed Davis posted 64 for Nomads,with good support from Knight (24) and Claytor (15). Carl Gent took 5-34. Hobbs, Greig and 14 year old Oakley all worked hard to chase the target,but wickets fell steadily. Stefan Rees took 4-29, and was well supported by Richard Watkins, Gary Sandbrook and Russell Knight. In an exciting finish, Ombersley held on with a winning draw to Nomads the final result.

On Sunday, batting first against Avoncroft, Nomads 1sts were eventually able to amass 173 for 7 on a slow pitch.

Youngster Keiron Rees was run out just 8 runs short of a maiden century for the club and he was well supported by Gerry Kelly (30) and Ian Jinks (24no). In reply, Avoncroft recovered from 48 for 7 with Bird (75no) and Smith (30no) to reach the required total with two overs to spare, thanks in no small part to 30 extras.

Madzerevic took 2 for 21, Tom Marsh 2 for 61 and Keiron Rees 2 for 4 to end on a personal high note for the match.

The 2nd XI entertained Crowle, and Crowle made 259 for 4 declared - youngster Sam Cullen claiming two fine catches. In reply Nomads always seemed behind with the rate, but kept going, eventually finishing on 188 for 8. P Sirrell 42no, S Cullen 30 and T Millington 32 the pick of the batsmen.

The youth section also continued their run of fine form. The U-17 played Ombersley in the Ryan Birt Memorial KO Trophy had an excellent win by a young Nomad's side, by 8 wkts, taking them through to the quarter finals. Nomads bowled out Ombersley for 95, the feature of which was the spin bowling of Miles Illingworth (4-21), Stefan Rees (2-26) and Kieran Rees (1-14). Joe Robinson hit an enterprising 40.

In reply, Nomads reached the target with the loss of 2 wickets. Nick Major, making a very welcome return, ensured victory with an aggressive 53.

Glen Collins also made a name for himself in the Under 16's as he took 4 wickets without conceding a run in the victory against Old Elizabethans, having also top-scored, with 29.