DIRECTOR of rugby Gary Gold helped Worcester Warriors’ staff cricket team to a 67-run friendly win against Malvern College Staff XI.

The South African blazed 23 against a Malvern side who included former first-class cricketers Mark Hardinges (Gloucestershire and Essex) and Richard Coughtrie (Gloucestershire).

Warriors backs coach Sam Vesty (28 retired) and Tom Tench (26 retired) got the visitors off to a flying start in their opening Twenty20 match.

South African Gold entered the fray, hammering 23 before being bowled as Warriors raced to 84-1 after 10 overs.

Blair Kingsland (28 retired) and Tom Vale (26 retired) then lifted Warriors to 187-4 from their 20 overs.

Coughtrie cracked early boundaries as Malvern looked to chase down the big total.

But with the pair retiring at 25, the rest of the Malvern team struggled to find the same rhythm.

Wickets from Charlie Lincoln, Luke Summers, David O’Hagan (2), Steve Joslin and Tench (2) reduced Malvern to 110-9.

With Hardinges and Coughtrie were united at the crease for the last partnership.

But Vesty picked up his second wicket with a yorker as Malvern were skittled out for 120.

Teams keen to arrange a friendly match against Warriors' cricket team should e-mail steve.joslin@warriors.co.uk