BROMSGROVE had a second Birmingham League Division One defeat in a row when they slipped up by three wickets to Brockhampton.

The Boars produced a below-par batting display after winning the toss, ending on 170 all out, despite Alexei Kervezee’s big-hitting 56.

Brockhampton responded well and made 171-7, despite the efforts of Bromsgrove’s bowlers. Graeme Whiles, Ashley Newfield and Kervezee took two wickets each.

Captain Mark Evenson said: “We didn’t score enough runs. We knew we were probably 40 runs short.

“Apart from Alexei no one really scored any runs and it meant there was a lot of pressure on our bowlers.

“They did well, but Brockhampton had only a small target for victory.”

Bromsgrove, who have slipped to eighth in the table, are now dangerously close to the bottom two at the midway point of the season.

They face an important game at home to bottom of the table Old Hill on Saturday (noon start).

Evenson said: “It’s disappointing to lose two games in a row and it has put us in a tricky position.

“This is a big game against Old Hill, if we lose then our lead over the bottom two will be smaller.

“Our top batting order is a bit out of sorts, but we have a lot of good players and Alexei is playing very well, so hopefully we can find some form.”

Meanwhile, Alastair Hickman and Max Smith both picked up three wickets as the seconds bowled Stratford out for an under par 192.

In reply, the batters got off to the worst possible start losing three wickets to the new ball. Mark Bilbrough (50) and Mark Meacham (43) fought back, but when they were both dismissed Bromsgrove slipped to 154 all out.

Bromsgrove’s third team posted 275 against bottom side Oldswinford. Paul Husbands (57) and Barry Hope (47) led the way with the scoring and Harry Smith looks to have recovered some of his form with 27. George Marshall and Tom Russell (2-22) closed the game out in the first 12 overs before Chris Burford took 4-5 with the visitors out for 102.