IT was business as usual as far as Tenbury were concerned as they stormed to a seven-wicket victory at Old Elizabethans 3rd in Division Four of the Worcestershire Cricket League.

The Penlu side had suffered an opening-day defeat the previous week but the return of key payers paved the way for an emphatic win.

Not that Tenbury had it all their own way, stubborn OEs batsman Antony Rees hit an unbeaten 104 and forged a ninth-wicket partnership worth 120 with former Kington bowler Kevin Gwynne (31) to frustrate the visiting attack and take the score to 193-9.

“Last week was all about blowing away the cobwebs,” skipper Zack Yarranton said. “We’ve already put that to one side as the result didn’t really tell the true story.

“We had players out this week but others came back into the side and when you can add quality to any side then it makes a difference.

“We bowled well and had them at 73-8 but just couldn’t get that last wicket with their guy hitting a century. But we were still very happy with the target as it was a really decent track, just a like a road. We knew there were runs there.”

Yarranton (3-66) and Tom Gloster (3-28) were the leading wicket takers while the returning Aaron Morris bowled 17 overs for figures of 2-45.

In reply, Tenbury started quickly and had moved the scoreboard on to 64 before opener Chris Giles was bowled for 32.

Another half-century partnership was formed before Gloster fell for 50 leaving the impressive Morris to take the score on before he was caught on 82. David Hunt (22no) and Yarranton (6no) then guided Tenbury home as they reached 197-3 in the 28th over.

Yarranton is hoping to make it back-to-back wins when they take on Bromsgrove 3rd at Penlu on Saturday.

He said: “This should be the first week when we have our strongest side available so hopefully we can get our first home win.

“We don’t know too much about Bromsgrove but looking at their results so far they’ve scored a few runs so must have some decent batsmen in there.”

Tenbury 2nds lost by 80 runs to Old Elizabethans 4ths but Yarranton has high hopes for some of those playing in the second string.

“It’s about getting some of the younger players interested and giving them the opportunity to play competitive cricket,” he explained. “There are one or two boys in there who will be first team players in a couple of years.”

Jamie Farrar, Jonathan Duce and Ian Taylor all took two wickets apiece to limit the visitors to 190-7. In reply, Ian Taylor led the way with 30 and there was also an excellent 21 from teenager Farrar with Darren Thompson adding 15 but Tenbury fell short and were all out for 110.