STOURBRIDGE dropped to the bottom of division two of the Birmingham and District Premier League as their poor form continued against rivals Halesowen.

Hosts Hales took a winning draw from the contest after smashing 241-8 from their 55 overs.

Wicketkeeper Wesley Griffiths hit an unbeaten 93 to help them to their total.

Stour can claim to be on top in the first half as the home side crawled to 139-5 off 43 overs. But high winds struck in the latter part of the innings to negate Stour’s efforts in the field.

Stour skipper Matt Bradley won the toss once again and put the opposition in to bat. Halesowen lost half the side for 135. Worcestershire academy star Zain Ul Hassan, 14, triggered the collapse when getting Hales skipper Faisal Shahid caught easily on the offside for 28 off 43 balls.

Another academy prospect, Jhujar Johal, was next to depart after a long vigil at the wicket playing a rash shot against the accurate Jitesh Jivan-Patel.

Ben Stebbings (36) and Will Barrett (32) both fell to the spinner James Wood after the overseas Tarryck Gabriel was bowled for one by Audy Alexander.

However, number six Wesley Griffiths strode to the wicket with Stour well in command. But, as the wickets tumbled at one end, former Stour man Griffiths was soon making hey.

He rattled the visiting bowlers to move the score well past the 200 mark.

Stour openers Alex Bingham and Steve Game had to work hard to build a partnership of 37 when Shahid accounted for the wicket of Bingham for 17 off 40 balls.

Thirteen runs later he struck again to bag the wicket of Game for 23, caught behind off 60 balls.

Taking the third spot, Audy Alexander and Richard Bradley put on 18 quick runs to take the score to 67. Bradley's promising innings was cut short by Shahid for 14.

Alexander, realising the importance of his wicket, defended responsibly until his well contracted innings was ended by a disputed run out for 23. Skipper Matt Bradley resisted until he was judged lbw to a full length delivery off the bowling of Richard Brooker.

Halesowen’s fell short of capturing all of Stour's wickets and had to settle for a winning draw.

Stour’s next meet second-placed Tamworth at home this Saturday (noon).