GLOUCESTERSHIRE Over 70s got their season off to a perfect start with a hard-earned five-wicket success over Worcestershire which owed much to Stroud's Keith Daniels.

The England international top scored with 83 from 112 (seven fours) as his side chased down a target of 165 on home soil at Apperley, with captain Roger Beese contributing 21.

Earlier, Fred Bayliss captured 2-27 from eight while there were also wickets for Richard Tugwell, Howard Johnson and Phil Dickenson as Worcester battled their way to 164-5 from 40 overs.

The 70s are back in action on Thursday at Stroud (1pm) against Wales who also won their opening County Championship group clash.

There was a tremendous victory, meanwhile, for Gloucestershire Over 50s 2nds away to Cornwall at Perranporth where Mark Febery’s side got home by three wickets with just one ball to spare.

Cornwall rattled up 266-3 from 45 after losing the toss, Sam Gunaratne claiming 2-42 while Ben Cambridge’s nine overs cost only 27.

The visitors needed a good start and got it from openers James Gammon (70) and Mike Courtiour (30) before Ian Robson (58) and Dave Millard (36) kept the pressure on ahead of the last-over triumph.

Gloucestershire O50s 3rds succumbed by seven wickets away to Somerset, opener Andy Burrows top scoring on 43.

But the Over 60s 1st XI trumped Cornwall by 28 runs at Keynsham. John Evans (51 not) and Ed Gordon Lennox (46) led the home side to a total of 194-6 off 45 after losing the toss before Steve Pennington (3-24 from eight) and Kenny Earl (3-28 from nine) combined to put Cornwall on the ropes.