HALESOWEN remain ninth in Division One of the Birmingham Premier League following a resounding 96-run defeat by promotion chasers Ombersley.

Ombersley batted first and were held together by Liam Gwynne (93) as Harry Kitchen snaffled 5-31 for Hales with his left arm spinners. In reply Hales were quickly in trouble against former Worcester seamer Gareth Andrew (4-13) as only captain Alexei Kervezee showed any steel with 38 in an all out total of 104.

However, with an important run-in game against Barnards Green next week they have all to play for.

Similarly the seconds were defeated by Bartestree and Lugwardine in a tight encounter in Herefordshire. Batting first on a well-worn surface, Hales started well against the seamers before off spinner Ryan Trattell was introduced decimating the Hales middle order to finished with 6-24.

Only a 40 from Rob Horn showed any mettle in the Hales innings as the turn and bounce of Trattell proved too much for the Hales batters. In reply Bartestree struggled to 35-5 as Horn picked up three quick wickets but then proceeded to grind out the remaining runs to finish with a four-wicket win.

The thirds were also out-gunned by Worcester CC to complete a dismal weekend for the top three teams. Only Mustapha Mumtaz with 3-19 in Worcester’s innings of 90-5 was of note as Hales plummeted to 89 all out.

The fourth team beat Hagley thirds to remain third in the League thanks to 46 from Vinny O’Grady in a total of 176-8 that was too much for Hagley who were defeated by 102 runs thanks to Charlie Egerton’s 5-18.