NOTTINGHAMSHIRE were hardly extended in winning their opening cup game of the campaign. Victory came with nearly 16 overs to spare, scarcely a foretaste of the much sterner tasks ahead if they are to qualify from this tough group.

Jason Gallian scored a first half-century for his new county in 53 balls, including five boundaries and a six, and put on 131 in 26 overs for the second wicket with Usman Afzaal, who finished on 54.

Earlier it was a former Notts player, David Pennett, now with Cumberland, who set the home side any kind of target. Pennett, who left Trent Bridge two years ago, joined Paul Newman when Minor Counties were a miserable 95 for seven.

The two added 66 runs in 16 overs for the eighth wicket and off the last ball Pennett played the cheekiest shot of the day when he went down to Andy Oram and ran a ball pitched wide of off down to the fine-leg boundary.

Pennett was Minor Counties' highest scorer, finishing unbeaten on 39 off 44 balls. His previous highest score in this competition was four not out for Notts three years ago.

Newman, who claimed Minor Counties' only success when he bowled Paul Pollard, helped Pennett with an unbeaten 26 and David Ward showed there is still life in an old Surrey player with 33.

As a backdrop, the new Radcliffe Road stand is taking shape in readiness for the July South Africa Test. It promises to be as imposing a structure as anything Lord's can offer.