HIMLEY skipper Greg Wright thinks there was plenty of encouraging signs despite his side slipping to an opening day defeat at Wellington.

They lost by 82 runs during the first game of the new campaign but put in a battling performance throughout.

Wright said: "There was a lot of encouraging elements to take forwards.

"We battled very well in the first half and did well in the field.

"We then started okay but lost three quick wickets as we looked to knock off their total, which I do think was gettable. From then on we were always chasing the game and ended up falling well short.

"Overall, I think the signs were good and there were a lot of positives for us to take into next weekend.

"It is early days but I think it is important that we get that winning feeling back."

Wellington opener Neil Edwards top scored for the hosts with 65 before eventually falling to the bowling of Himley's Stuart Wedge.

The home side went on to hit 253 thanks to skipper Wendell Wagner and good support from Scott De Weymarn (33).

Himley's Jamie Turner was the pick of the bowlers, claiming four wickets for 64 runs.

Worcestershire's Tom Kohler-Cadmore (61) got the visitors' reply off to a decent start but the cheap loses of Wright (9), Wasim Jaffer (6) and Oliver Westbury (0) gave Himley a mountain to climb.

Brief resistance from the middle order came in the form of Stuart Wedge (20) and Mike Jones (20) but it proved in vain as their side slipped to defeat.

Wellington's Jamie Miller secured himself four of the wickets for just 22 runs as Himley's lower order failed to fire.

Himley will welcome Bromsgrove to Stourbridge Road this Saturday as they look to bag their first win of the season.

"Bromsgrove are a decent side," added Wright. "We have to be prepared for a good test against them.

"We must have confidence and really back ourselves and our ability."