HALESOWEN remain in contention Birmingham League Division Two after a nervy three-wicket win against Old Hill.

The result leaves them in third place, ten points ahead of Fordhouses.

Zahid Kafiat was the highest contributor with 37 in an Old Hill total of 129 against Halesowen, for whom Eddie Rhodes took 4 for 15 and some tight returns from Dylan Ross Watt and Richard Brooker saw the Halesowen bowlers strangle the Old Hill batting line up.

Old Hill’s Jehangir Baig picked up 3 for 23 as Halesowen edged to a nervy three wicket win with Scott Jones top scoring with 43 as youngster Hassan Akram (20*) saw the side home amidst jubilant celebrations.

Captain Richard Brooker said: "If we were to track back to our pre season plans we wanted to be in the top four for the August Bank Holiday matches so the fact that that we are on schedule is pleasing.

"There are five games to go now and together with our cricket coaching and admin back-up team we have mapped out exactly what needs to happen for us to get to promotion.

"On paper its clear and every player has a clear view of what they need to do individually and now we need to stick to it. "I was particularly pleased for Scott Jones this week who came in and did a great job in holding the innings together for us plus Jamie Harris is hitting the form we know he is capable of at just the right time in the season.

"On the bowling front Dylan Eddie and myself pegged them back and we now just need to form a pattern with our other bowlers to make sure we keep on top of things in the last few games. We are nicely placed.’ Oswestry, who crushed Old Elizabethans by 187 runs, lead the Division Two table by 38 points after second placed Pershore squeezed home by five runs against close rivals Fordhouses, who, now trail the Worcestershire outfit by 27 points.

Halesowen's second team were defeated by six wickets in their game against Moseley with only new signing Harry Kitchen (43) showing any sign of form with the bat.

The third team won again this time by 57 runs. Batting first they were indebted to 43 from Chris Jones and 38* from Callum Gutteridge as they totalled 196-9.

In reply Worcester were bowled out for 139 with Jones 3-35 and Talha Iqhlaq with 4-16 to seal victory.

The fourth XI went down to Old Vigornians by 124 runs with only Captain Rob Reeves (53*) showing any determination with the bat.

Next week’s fixtures are as follows – but also see history being made as the second XI play under lights at Himley with a 2.30pm start.

The first XI are at home to Sutton Coldfield (noon), the thirds take on Bromsgrove at Earls High School (1pm) and teh fourths are away at Bredon (1pm.) There are two fixtures for Halesowen on Bank Holiday Monday, the first team take on Wombourne at Seth Somers Park (noon) while the seconds face Wolverhampton away (12.20pm)