HIMLEY remain rooted to the foot of the Birmingham Premier League after suffering defeat at the hands of leaders Berkswell.

Another poor showing in the field and then with the bat saw the Stourbridge Road side lose by 214 runs at home last Saturday.

Captain Greg Wright had hoped the previous weekend's draw with Knowle and Dorridge would prove to be a turning point for his side.

However, when Berkswell won the toss and elected to bat, openers James Neil (92) and Mark Best (111) soon set about posting an imposing target.

The bowling of James Harris eventually claimed the wickets of both men and number seven Tanveer Ahmed. Skipper Wright bagged four wickets as the innings drew to a close and Berkswell finished with 299.

Despite a decent start in replay, which saw Himley put on 43 for the first wicket, the batting collapse that followed saw the home side bowled out for just 85.

Only openers Tom Kohler-Cadmore (17) and Jamie Harris (25) and number three Wright (22) made double figures.

Berkswell's Chris Cheslin ripped through the line-up to claim seven wickets for just 23 runs.

Wright said: "There are simply no excuses. We dropped numerous catches in the field once again and bowled poorly with the new ball.

"Our batting wasn't much better either. It was a good wicket but we gave it away.

"I don't want to be bowling really. I can turn my arm a bit but I'm not that great. It just shows that other people aren't doing their job when I'm having to have a bowl to try and take some wickets.

"James Harris bowled well again, so that was a positive, but we failed to build any sort of pressure.

"At present, it's a case of individuals letting the team down. It is not an issue of ability but of confidence and application.

Himley made it through to the next round of the Staffordshire County Cup after Stafford failed to raise a side last Sunday.

Himley will now face Barnt Green in league action this Saturday.

Wright is unsure of the side he will field as he has a number of absences that include last Saturday's wicketkeeper Jack Whittaker.

"I don't have a wicketkeeper at the club over the age of 16 that is available. There are also a number of other players that aren't free to play.

"It doesn't help having to change the side so much when on a run of bad form.

"It is now a case of taking it one game at a time. We have to believe we will turn the corner sooner rather than later. We are just one win away from safety so we have to raise our game and turn things around."