A RECORD opening stand by Avoncroft batsmen Andy Nicol and Will Sach ensured a huge 256-run win over Tenbury in Worcestershire Division Three.

The duo smashed 419 runs in 50 overs for the biggest stand in the club’s history.

Nicol’s 210 runs, an innings which included 12 sixes and 21 fours, was also a new club and Division Three record.

Not far behind was Sach, who made 151, hitting 22 fours and two sixes.

Captain Craig Hughes said: “It was a incredible performance.

“The conditions were good but nothing special, there was certainly something for the bowlers in the surface but Andy and Will played exceptionally well.

“I’ve seen 400 runs scored before but never without a wicket being lost.

“Andy also took a one-handed catch to complete his day.”

Having lost the toss on a sunny day at Avoncroft, Tenbury had elected to field.

Avoncroft’s openers started slowly against some tight swing bowling getting to 57-0 off of 10 overs.

But they then turned up the intensity as the runs quickly accumulated.

Nicol then decided to cut loose, with one of his huge sixes landing straight on the chairman’s car.

Avoncroft then started well with the ball with Paul Athey (4-50) clean bowling Tenbury’s top four batsmen.

There were two wickets for Ben Warwick and one for Craig Hughes and Adam Rodway, who finished off the innings bowling Tenbury out for 163 in just 23.2 overs.

Avoncroft go to Bredon in the league on Saturday (1pm start), but will be without the tinjured David James (broken thumb).