Trophy holders Barnt Green began their pursuit of a fourth consecutive title with a visit to Sandwell Park where to face West Bromwich Dartmouth who they defeated in last year’s semi-final. Last year was tough for the home side, who were relegated from Premier Division One at the end of the season, and they proved no match for Barnt Green after the visitors won the toss and elected to field. The home side struggled to 120 all out in 36.5 overs with a top score of 23 from Shahzeb Raja. Darrel Williams took 3 for 30 and Robbie Shurmer picked up 3 for 32 for Barnt Green who eased to an eight-wicket victory after Ben Chapman-Lilley (47 not out) and Amrinder Brar (47) put together an opening stand of 91. Barnt Green’s next opponents will be a Worcestershire Academy XI who defeated last season’s Premier Division Two winners Halesowen by 35 runs. The Academy XI featuring many players registered to BDPCL clubs recorded the highest total of the day reaching 235 for three from 40 overs after Himley’s Ollie Walker (132 not out) and Dartmouth’s Ismail Mohammed (48) put on 121 for the first wicket. Walker faced 123 balls and struck nine sixes and nine fours. Oliver Cox chipped in with 36 as the Academy XI set the club side a daunting target. Halesowen were never in the hunt before James Rudge (31) and Harry Baddams (30) added some respectability to the scoreboard, putting on 54 for the seventh wicket. Halesowen were dismissed for 200 with Wolverhampton’s Joe Stanley taking 3 for 35 for the Academy.

The closest game in Round One took place at Broomfield, where Smethwick, the only home team to win on the day, faced an Academy team from Warwickshire. The Academy’s total of 163 all out was built around 55 from Dorridge’s Daniyal Khan with Manraj Johal (4 for 26) the pick of the home side’s attack. Skipper Rawait Khan took 3 for 21 and he was there at the end to steer his side to a thrilling victory by one wicket after both teams missed some golden opportunities to win the game. After Smethwick had slumped to 46 for four, in reply, newcomer Rajpal Beniwal struck 63 from 28 balls to change the momentum of the game. He and Roshan Venkataraman (22) added 65 very quickly but they and Johal were out to reckless strokes whilst adding just 15 runs. At 126 for seven, the pressure was on Khan (17 not out) but despite the loss of two more wickets including a third for Kenilworth Wardens’ Tommy Rex (3 for 21) he survived to see his side through to Round Two, where they face an away tie at Premier Division One Champions Berkswell who defeated last year’s Premier Division One Runners-up Leamington by five wickets. Batting first at Arlington Avenue, after losing the toss, Leamington stuttered to 174 all out and would have been in deep trouble but for a robust 84 from 74 balls from Nathan Hooker who hit four sixes and nine fours. Awais Mohammed took 4 for 32 for Berkswell, who were wobbling on 87 for five before an unbroken sixth wicket stand of 88 between Nick James (50 not out) and Tom Mousley (38 not out) saw them to victory without further loss. The highlight for Leamington in the field was a promising 3 for 35 for Pierce Ryan.

Last year’s beaten finalists Ombersley showed that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the competition, again, by beating Shrewsbury by nine wickets at London Road. The home side slumped to 17 for four after a fine opening spell from Elliot Mason (3 for 12) before a fifth wicket partnership of 106 between James Coggins (48) and Luke Thornton (28) with the help of 30 of the 41 extras conceded took the score to 123 before both batters were dismissed without further addition. The remaining wickets fell quickly as Ben Hallam finished with 4 for 32 before Shrewsbury were all out for 162, a target that proved to be a comfortable one for the visitors after Nick Hammond (60 not out) and Declan Lines (52 not out) shared an unbroken second wicket partnership of 139. Ombersley will be at home to Kenilworth Wardens in Round Two after the Warwickshire side eased past Walsall by six wickets. Walsall’s disappointing total of 112 all out featured 31 from Overseas player Om Bhosale, who was dismissed by Neylan Chauhan (3 for 20). In reply, Wardens raced to victory in 17 overs with Jamie Harrison top scoring with 45.

The fourth tie in Round Two will see Kidderminster host Knowle & Dorridge, following wins against Shifnal and Moseley, respectively. The main contributors for Kidderminster were Nathan Round (96) and Callum Bennett (38 not out) as they reached 198 for four in 40 overs, losing two wickets to run outs. Shifnal reached 180 for eight in response with 44 from Jack Twigger and 33 from Oliver Parton. West Indies World Cup hero Carlos Brathwaite made his first appearance for Knowle & Dorridge at Moseley, but he wasn’t required to do much as the visitors cruised to a seven-wicket success. Brathwaite was not required to bowl in Moseley’s innings of 182 for nine which included a top score of 69 from Asim Shoaib. Ethan Brookes starred with the ball, taking 4 for 43, then lead from the front with the bat, striking 85 from 98 balls in an opening partnership of 123 with Tom Smith (57). Brathwaite came to the wicket with 15 required for victory and hit an unbeaten 11 from five balls including a six and a four.