IN their first home game of the new Worcestershire League Division One season, Worcester Nomads finished well on top but, ultimately, could not beat either Oldswinford or the weather.

The visitors elected to bat first in a match reduced by rain to 43 overs-per-side and struggled against the pace of South African Dylan Stanley.

Only Dave Hayward (32) played him with any confidence, but it was Liam O’Driscoll, however, who made the breakthrough, accounting for both openers.

Nomads captain Ben Schiffmann weighed in with 3-44 in his second spell, but the bowling honours went to Steve Bowman, who claimed 3-25 in 11 tight overs as Oldswinford finished on 134-8.

In their reply, Nomads lost opener Sam Roberts for 15 when he was well caught by Antony Brewer at slip off Seb Soukup.

As the weather closed in, O’Driscoll (60 not out) and Bowman (23no) tried in vain to beat the rain, but fell tantalisingly short on 104-2 with 26 overs still to go.