TENBURY CC posted a welcome victory on their return to action in the Worcestershire League on Saturday.

Both the club’s fixtures had been conceded a week earlier, after only six players made themselves available for duty at the same time as England’s footballers were on televised World Cup duty.

But Robbie Farrar’s side were back in action at the weekend and the captain led by example at home to Himley, claiming two wickets for just 14 runs as the visitors were limited to 177 all out.

Jamie Farrar also claimed a couple of victims – for an economical 25 runs – before the hosts set about their reply in glorious conditions.

The home team reached their target with almost 14 overs to spare although they only had one wicket in hand and were largely indebted to a 78 from Tom Pugh, plus another captain’s contribution from Farrar – who came in to bat at number seven and steadied the ship with 29.

It was a welcome turnaround in what has been a frustratingly inconsistent season for the Division Four side.

Tenbury vice captain Aaron Morris pointed out that victory had been achieved despite the fact captain Farrar has yet to have his strongest eleven players available with the season already past its halfway stage.

“It’s been a bit hit and miss really,” said the first-teamer, himself absent on family duty at the weekend. “That’s down to having an unsettled side. I don’t think Robbie’s had his best eleven out yet, with all due respect to the players that have been playing.

“It’s hard to say why, but people have other commitments. It’s a bit strange but people have holidays and things like that. The cancellations because of the England game were a bit unfortunate, we only had something like six players available.

“I think if we’d been flying high in the league the situation might have been a bit different.”

There was disappointment for Tenbury 2nds in the reverse fixture against Himley.

The visitors set a handy-looking 207 for 3 target from 45 overs to collect three batting bonus points as Nigel Payne hit 61 and wicketkeeper Chris Giles amassed an unbeaten 76.

However a Himley side still in the hunt for promotion vindicated their decision to insert the visitors by knocking off the runs to finish 209 for seven with just three balls to spare.

Ian Taylor claimed three victims for 33 runs as Tenbury pocketed three bowling bonus points but defeat leaves them only 21 points clear of the bottom two ahead of Saturday’s trip to Malvern.

However Morris said relegation would not be a disaster for the second string, adding: “Second-team cricket is what it is. It gives the young players a chance and they seem to enjoy it. It’s no big concern if they get relegated, the main worry is getting two teams out each week.”