BROMSGROVE Cricket Club First XI made their best start to a league season for five years with a winning home draw against Leamington in Birmingham and District division one.

Nick Husbands' side, who have failed to win an opening day fixture in each of the past four years, had their hopes of winning outright dashed by rain as the match was reduced to 37 overs a side.

Husbands said: "I was pleased just to get out and play considering all the rain we have had and very pleased with the result.

"We followed up from last week's knockout win with great discipline in all areas of our game, it's a shame we lost some overs because we would have won out right but after five years of poor starts I can't complain."

The skipper won the toss and put the visitors in.

Worcestershire's Jon Farrow opened the bowling with Nick Davies and the pair soon had the batsmen struggling.

Davies picked up three early wickets and kept runs at a premium. Farrow was replaced by Husbands who grabbed four wickets, including that of Namibian world cup star Burger, brilliantly caught by Ross Liddell for seven.

The introduction of Zimbabwean Liddell, who has turned into a pace bowler from a leg spinner in the winter, made it difficult for the lower order with his speed and hostility as Leamington recorded just 111-9.

Unfortunately for Bromsgrove, a further 40 minutes were lost to rain, giving them just 25 overs to gain victory. Davies (17) and Jamie Campbell (15no) started the clock up the runs before Kish Patel (30 not out) ensured a winning draw with a superior run rate, closing at 78-3. Bromsgrove get 10 points; Leamington 3.

Bromsgrove travel to Kenilworth this Saturday and go to Cheltenham 24 hours later for the second round of the National Knockout.