THE Gentlemen of Worcestershire began their 2011 season with a comfortable 96-run win over Rendcomb College.

Despite cracks clearly visible on an otherwise perfectly prepared pitch at the Gloucestershire venue, Gents chairman Jon Raby chose to bat first.

It proved a wise decision as John Duffy and George Griffiths got the visitors off to a good start, sharing a 50-run opening stand before the former went for 25.

His brother Phil Duffy fell for 11 soon after and Griffiths went for 37.

The slow over rate meant Stuart Bailey, of Himbleton, and Worcester Nomads’ Dylan Stanley had to start hitting out as early as the 20th over.

The pair added 85 runs for the fourth wicket.

Bailey finished unbeaten on 36, while Stanley made a brisk 55 not out as the Gents declared on 189-3.

After early breakthroughs by Old Vigornians’ Phil Mackie and Charles Robinson, of Hanley Castle and Upton, the Rendcomb batsmen made steady progress and were 60-3 with 20 overs left.

Anton Madzarevic, of Worcester Nomads, bowled a controlled spell of off spin and picked up two wickets thanks to catches from John Duffy.

Rendcomb gave up the chase and Raby rotated his bowlers looking for the breakthrough.

Griffiths took a fine one-handed catch off Stanley, while James Bader, of OVs, claimed an unorthodox stumping off Bailey.

With three overs remaining, and three wickets to get, Raby turned back to his opening pair.

Mackie (3-29) bowled a double-wicket maiden and Robinson (3-25) took the last Rendcomb batsman with his penultimate delivery and seven balls left.