HALF-CENTURIES from Andrew Adams and Tom Pugh handed Tenbury Wells their first win of the new Worcestershire League Division Nine season.

Having opened their campaign with a losing draw at home to Ombersley, Tenbury got off the mark with a comfortable seven-wicket win at Himley.

Tenbury struggled to take wickets after winning the toss and opting to field, but they restricted the Himley run flow as the hosts were limited to just four runs an over, finishing on 180-4 from 45 overs.

Rob Farrar (2-56) was the top bowler for Tenbury, who conceded a generous 34 extras, while Ashley Wood (1-30) and Jack Farrar (1-45) also struck.

Daniel Newman (51no) and opener Dominic Mitchell (41no) top-scored for Himley.

In reply, Tenbury stormed to their target inside 34 overs thanks chiefly to openers Adams (59) and Pugh (52no), with Chris Giles (40) and 27 extras helping them home at 181-3.

In Division Eight, meanwhile, Cleobury Mortimer were unable to follow up their opening-day win as they lost by five wickets at home to Birlingham despite a fine fightback with the ball.

Having been put in to bat, Mortimer lost opener Gareth Layton for a duck and never really recovered as Birlingham bowlers Martin Webb (4-31) and Anthony Cosnett (3-25) ran riot.

James Manley (23) and Michael Green (22) were the only Cleobury batsmen to get out of the teens as the hosts were all out for a disappointing 118 inside 36 overs.

In reply, Birlingham opener Sam Robinson (45) did the bulk of the work but a flurry of wickets from Sam Evans (2-23) and Manley (3-16) gave Cleobury a glimmer of hope.

However, earlier tormentors Cosnett (16no) and Webb (10no) saw the visitors home at 119-5 in the 33rd over.