WORCESTER'S Old Elizabethans made a winning start in Birmingham League Division Three.

After being denied by the wet weather the previous weekend, OEs thumped Newport by six wickets at the Memorial Ground after skittling the visitors for 77.

Hemaka Pathiranage took 4-21 and Khalid Baig 3-20 before the hosts eased home on 78-4.

Ex-Worcestershire all-rounder Gareth Andrew top scored with 36 as Ombersley lost by 94 runs at Dorridge in the Premier Division.

Pershore enjoyed a Division Two six-run win at Walmley with skipper Chris Ridings' knock of 69 proving crucial.

Hosts Barnards Green won the Division One county derby by 32 runs against Kidderminster.

They struggled to 148 all out with former Worcester players Chris Steele claiming 4-22 and Liam Weston 3-20.

Despite Sam Beadsworth's 42, Worcestershire's George Rhodes (4-20) helped bowl Green to victory as Kidderminster collapsed for 116.

RESULTS — PREMIER DIVISION

Barnt Green (6 points) 212 (W.Baker 58, E.Pollock 49, G.Worker 3-58) lost to Knowle & Dorridge (20 points) 289-7 (G.Worker 101, S.Reddish 76, D.Williams 3-50) by 77 runs.

Dorridge (20 points) 212-7 (J.Dodd 58*, A.Khan 40, N.Slade 4-42) defeated Ombersley (4 points) 118 (J.Harris 3-11, J.Ayres 3-44) by 94 runs.

DIVISION ONE

Barnards Green (20 points) 148 (C.Steele 4-22, L.Weston 3-20) defeated Kidderminster (5 points) 116 (S.Beadsworth 42, G.Rhodes 4-20) by 32 runs.

Brockhampton (6 points) 171(A.Hewlett 41, S.Wedge 4-29, J.Turner 3-31) lost to Himley (20 points) 172-9 (J.Turner 42) by 1 wicket.

Bromsgrove (2 points) 109 (J.Jakeman 4-16) lost to Tamworth (20 points) 113-4 (J.Jakeman 53*) by 6 wickets.

DIVISION TWO

Astwood Bank (20 points) 375-4 (T.Underhill 147*, S.Thomas 68) defeated Streetly (5 points) 367-5 (I.Qadir 90, N.Curtis 73, S.Bates 41, C.Moore 40, S.Mangalorkar 40*) by 8 runs.

Walmley (6 points) 190 (M.Waugh 43, D.Critcher 3-29) lost to Pershore (20 points) 196-9 (C.Ridings 69, R.Hutchings 3-34) by 6 runs.

DIVISION THREE

Old Elizabethans (20 points) 78-4 (M.Downes 3-26) defeated Newport (0 points) 77 (H.Pathiranage 4-21, K.Baig 3-20) by 6 wickets.

Redditch (6 points) 168 (J.Urquhart 3-19) lost to Stratford (20 points) 173 (D.Purser 48, T.Field 5-25) by 5 runs.

SECOND XI PREMIER DIVISION

Himley (5 points) 138-9 lost to Brockhampton (20 points) 224-7 by 86 runs.

DIVISION ONE

Ombersley (3 points) 115 lost to Bromsgrove (20 points) 244-6 by 129 runs.

Pershore (5 points) 120 lost to Barnt Green (20 points) 198 by 78 runs.

Shrewsbury (3 points) 173-8 lost to Astwood Bank (20 points) 174-3 by 7 wickets.

DIVISION TWO (SOUTH)

Stratford (20 points) 151-9 defeated Redditch (6 points) 150 by 1 run.

Sutton Coldfield (20 points) 199-7 defeated Old Elizabethans (6 points) 197-3 by 3 wickets.