Bewdley 232 (24 pts) beat Burghill, Tillington & Weobley 136 (4 pts) by 96 runs

BEWDLEY got their Worcestershire County League season off to a splendid start with a convincing win at home to Burghill, due mainly to a century from Rob Combes and five wickets from Jack Mills.

Predictably asked to bat on a pitch which offered some help to the bowlers Bewdley soon found themselves at 47-4.

Robert Crane then joined Combes in a partnership of 98. Crane was initially content to defend while Combes accumulated busily at the other end, but as the partnership blossomed, both batsmen displayed their full array of strokes.

Crane departed for a well made 30 and Combes was joined by Luke Groves (25) in a punishing stand of 76 in only eight overs.

The last four wickets fell cheaply but Bewdley's total of 232 was a very challenging one at such an early stage of the season.

Combes's 111 came from 108 balls with eleven fours and three sixes. In reply, Burghill progressed sedately to 38-0, but Martyn Carr (3-43) and Andy Platt (1-18), both bowling with good control, made inroads.

Debutant Josh Freestone bowled with good rhythm and took a useful wicket but Burghill then dug in with a useful stand for the sixth wicket which used up twelve overs.

However from 120-5 their last five wickets fell to Jack Mills who firstly trapped visiting captain Ben Owens lbw for 61 and then rattled through the tail, finishing with 5-27.

Bewdley visit Colwall on Saturday.