BROMSGROVE maintained their blistering start to the Birmingham League Division One as they defeated Barnard's Green by 17 runs.

The Boars are top after a third straight win and hitting the 60 point mark.

Skipper Mark Evenson won the toss and elected to bat first and was again rewarded by his opening partnership of Ashley Newfield and Jayden Levitt.

The inform pair put on 120 for the first wicket with Levitt (69) being the main aggressor.

His departure saw a flurry of wickets that saw the team slip to 121-3, with former Boars player and newly-contracted Worcestershire CCC man George Rhodes the main destroyer picking up two wickets in a over.

However, Newfield held firm and received support from Green (18) and Underhill (12) before he was finally out for a patient 72. Bromsgrove posted 241-8 off their 50 overs.

In reply, the Bromsgrove opening bowlers Graeme Whiles and Willian Tuffin restricted scoring opportunities in the all important power play before James Ganderton picked up both openers adding even more pressure.

Another key moment came when Newfield ran out Worcestershire player Alex Hepburn (12) with a direct hit.

Phil Harris and Nathan Newport both secured half centuries but the Bromsgrove bowlers stuck to their task and took key wickets when it mattered.

The run rate picked up but lusty blows from James Tapper (21) and Elliott Henessy (13) always kept them in the hunt but a key spell from Tuffin during the final power play kept them at bay keeping Bromsgrove at the top of the league.