BARTESTREE and Lugwardine made a good start go to waste as they fell to defeat by just 20 runs at the hands of Halesowen seconds following a tight run chase.

Bowler Adam Davies gave the Herefordshire visitors a perfect start taking three early wickets to leave Halesowen 20-3 and facing an uphill task.

However, the hosts manage to put on a couple of decent partnerships and Ali Rashid batted nicely until he ran himself out on 99.

Consistent wickets and good efforts fielding meant Halesowen were bowled out for 212 from their allotted 50 overs. Davies finished on 4-46 and Max Backhouse took 3-59.

Bartestree started their batting innings well with Simon Davies (17) laying into their left arm opener and sending him across the park.

However, two quick wickets bought Edward Milner in earlier than expected but he got to work straight away and ended on a well-made 45.

Ryan Trattell looked good for 30 before Backhouse batted excellently, giving the bad balls what they deserved and looking like he could win his side the game.

At 150-6 Bartestree were well in the game, however, none of the tail were able to stay around long enough with Backhouse for him to guide his team home.

Bartestree finished bowled out for 191 and Backhouse stranded on an unbeaten 51.

It was a similar story of fine margins for Burghill, Tillington and Weobley who settled for a losing draw against Division One league leaders Ombersley seconds.

Ombersley were in deep trouble at 23-4 after seven overs and they could have taken two more further wickets.  Opener Declan Lines was dropped in the second over when on nought. 

He had another life later in his innings, but rode his luck to top score, with 77.

Ashley Damm (49) and Alfie Marston (28) supported Lines to take the total to 209 off 47.4 overs.

Reece Thomas bowled a nagging length, with great lines to bag 5-40 off 12 overs as the visitors were bowled out for 209 off 47.4 overs. 

 It was Thomas’ first five-wicket haul for the home side.  He was well supported by all the bowlers, including 17-year-old off spinner, AJ Morris who finished with 3-50.

The Burgs were confident of chasing down 209, but after losing two early wickets it was a repair job for the top order.  

AJ Morris and Sabil Sarmad slowly repaired the early damage, taking the score to 57, before Sarmad was caught behind for 28.

Morris was up for the challenge and batted beautifully for his 66, with 6 fours and 3 sixes.  

At 147-5 after 40 overs, there was still a chance for the home side to pull off an unlikely win.  However, quick wickets soon after meant it was time to shut up shop, for a losing draw finishing on 176-8. 

Meanwhile, Brockhampton settled for a losing draw at Pedmore after finishing 18 runs short of a big target of 292-6 with the Herefordshire side finishing on 274-8.

Tom Skerrett hit 94, A J Hinkley 69 and Ollie Langford an unbeaten 50 in the valiant run chase.