Bewdley's encouraging start to Worcestershire County League Division One life continued with a winning draw at Worcester Nomads who had won their first match of the season comfortably.

The highlight of the afternoon was a magnificent century by Bewdley captain, Simon Smith.

They were put in to bat and made a solid start with good contributions from Mark Venross and Darren Watkins.

When Mark Bennett joined Smith at 43-2, the game was in the balance but a stand of 183 for the third wicket put Bewdley firmly in the driving seat.

Smith's 143 not out, containing 14 fours and five sixes, was full of strokes all round the wicket.

Particularly memorable was the way he dispatched an inadvertent beamer into a neighbouring meadow to reach his hundred.

Bennett, for once, was overshadowed but he too looked in good form and lent valuable support to Smith's terrific onslaught with 55 runs.

Bewdley's total of 245-4 would surely have been much higher if the outfield had not been so slow.

Nomads' target was always an improbable one but they started purposefully.

However, the introduction of Bennett into the attack put paid to any lingering hopes they may have had.

He took two quick wickets and another later on to prove the pick of the bowlers with 3-30.

Nomads reached 125-2 without looking threatening but then declined to 131-5 and eventually they settled for a draw at 180-7.

Bewdley survived the loss of wicket-keeper Watkins with a dislocated finger with replacement Andy Robinson as tidy as ever.

Mark Edwards again bowled through the innings and was rewarded with 3-80.

Bewdley seconds have yet to bowl a ball this season after their home game against Nomads was cancelled due to the weather.