DROITWICH CC suffered double disappointment in their opening Worcestershire County League matches against Cookley, although there was a huge difference in the manner of the results.

Spa’s first team were blown away by nine wickets at St Peter’s Fields after being dismissed for one of the lowest scores that members can remember, while the seconds were pipped by one wicket in a thrilling last-ball finale in the reverse fixture at Cookley.

After losing the toss on a true but slow wicket, Droitwich batted first with the Young brothers, Max and Jake, but both were back in the pavilion within a matter of overs.

This was the start of a sorry procession of batsmen as Spa slumped to 22-8 before capitulating for a paltry 43, despite some very minor resistance from captain Martyn Davies and Jay de Costa, who top scored with 14.

Both opening bowlers for the league newcomers bagged five wickets apiece before their teammates made light work of the target — knocking off the runs and breezing to victory in just 6.4 overs to finish the match before 3pm.

By comparison, the seconds’ clash went down to the wire as Cookley’s last pair scampered a leg bye in the gathering gloom off the final ball.

They pinched the seven runs needed off the final over bowled by Jonny Keen, who claimed a hat-trick in a spell of 4-30.

Jonny's dad, Martin had earlier hit 43 in the Droitwich total of 210-7 from 50 overs.

This weekend, Droitwich firsts travel to Hagley aiming to make amends; the seconds entertain Lye, while the thirds and fourths start their league campaigns against Barnt Green.