Worcestershire CCC Academy player Josh Haynes played an important role with the ball as holders the Midlands overcame the South and West in their opening game of the 2016 Super Fours at Loughborough.
Haynes, who is skippering the side, bowled 10 tight overs of spin as the South and West were restricted to 167-9 in their 50 overs after electing to bat in a competition featuring the best Under-17 players in the country.
He picked up 2-29 and his victims included number three Tom Banton who top-scored with 56.
Henry Brookes (3-31 in seven) and Anis Raza (2-20 in 10) were other main wicket-takers for the Midlands.
Haynes was not so successful with the bat and was first out for five with eight runs on the board.
The Midlands were struggling at 82-6 but then Ben Claydon and Harry Swindells featured in a match winning stand of 76.
Claydon was run out for 60 off 92 balls with nine fours but Swindells remained unbeaten on 39 from 44 deliveries with five boundaries.
The Midlands will be in action again tomorrow when they take on the North in a repeat of last year's final.