YOUNG Halesowen all-rounders Dylan Ross-Watt and Eddie Rhodes again starred to help their side secure a derby day victory over Old Hill.

Hales moved up to seventh place in Division Two of the Birmingham and District League by bagging the 31-run success last Saturday.

That made it memorable back-to-back wins followed the previous week's home victory against other local rivals Harborne.

Batting first at home toOld Hill, Halesowen proved a strong unit as Ed Kilbee (71) and Mohammed Shauib (34) held the innings together whilst the rapidly emerging all-rounders Ross-Watt (38) and Rhodes (28 not out) boosted the total to 204.

In reply, Old Hill were quickly struggling at 45-5 as Ross-Watt and Rhodes set about the top order. Only a quickfire 70 from Zahid Kafiat kept Old Hill in it until they were all out for 173.

Ross-Watt (4-54) and Rhodes (3-45) showed the potential that has led to them both working with the Champions Trophy teams at Edgbaston to hone their skills on a daily basis.

Captain Richard Brooker said: "It was a good win and pleasing to see us come through some tricky periods of the game when batting to post a competitive total. This gave the new ball bowlers of Dylan Ross-Watt and Eddie Rhodes something to work with and they bowled exceptionally well at all stages of the innings."

Meanwhile, in the Canterbury Cup, Halesowen moved into round two thanks to a nervy three-wicket victory over Redditch Entaco, where once again Ross-Watt and Rhodes steered the side home with the bat after Greening (4-16) bowled tightly. They now play Barnards Green on July 16.

The second team played out a losing draw at Moseley. Moseley’s total was held back to just 216 thanks to Charlie Greenings 6-45 in twelve overs. Greening has now taken 51 wickets in all cricket this season and is surely destined for higher honours. In reply, Halesowen never got on top of the Moseley bowlers and fell well behind the rate to chase down the total.

Only Shaz Gill (26) looked like batting at the required run-rate and it was left to the in-form Greening (11 not out) and Richard Cox (38 not out) to secure what could be key points for a draw in a Premier Division which is extremely tight.

The thirds won at Worcester thanks to John Aston's unbeaten 128 but the fourths lost to Old Vigornians.

Halesowen's first XI will look to secure a hat-trick of league wins when they go to Sutton Coldfield this Saturday (noon start).

The seconds go to Himley, the thirds are at Bromsgrove and the fourths welcome Bredon.