WORCESTER Nomads Under 16s' first league match of the season saw them achieve a comfortable win over Kempsey.

Winning the toss and batting first, Nomads scored an impressive 173-2 in 20 overs.

Sam Roberts and Will Ford opened the batting with both showing good touch.

But, when on 11 runs, Ford received an excellent inswinging delivery from bowler Tulley which kept low and secured a straight-forward lbw decision.

Roberts was joined by Jack Longley and they both pushed the run-rate along at a healthy average of eight runs per over.

Longley was out, caught at mid-wicket by Hallam, for 21.

James Smith joined Sam Roberts to bat out the remaining six overs.

Roberts finished on 97 not- out, scoring 14 fours in the process.

He was particularly strong on the off-side, executing many fine square cuts.

Jack Watkins and Ashley Dawson opened the bowling for Nomads and wickets were taken early on due to tight, aggressive seam bowling.

Ford spread the bowling through most of the Nomads side.

Notable performances were by Watkins (2-9 off four overs), Richard Puckett (2-9) and Ford (2-8).

Matt Caldicott took the final wicket of Dean with a fine away-swinger, pitching on middle stump and hitting off.

Murphy, Scott, Goode and Simmons all got into double figures for Kempsey as they provided resistance in the middle order.

The match was played in a good spirit, helped by the positive attitude of the Kemspey players.