BROMSGROVE seamer Gareth Williams must have been licking his lips at the prospect of bowling on Brockhampton's drying wicket this week.

Williams proved almost unplayable as he helped spearhead Bromsgrove's charge towards a commanding six wicket win in Herefordshire.

The wily Williams had Brockhampton skipper Adam Hewlett removed first ball of the game after being caught behind by Worcestershire wicketkeeper Alex Milton.

Williams went onto torment Brockhampton's batsmen, removing dangerman Daryl Mitchell in the process as he picked up figures of three for 22 from his 11 over spell, seven of which were maidens.

Spin bowlers Ash Newfield and skipper Mark Evenson then accounted for the remaining Brockhampton wickets to fall, Newfield claiming an impressive four for 25 off 12 overs while Evenson bagged two for 22 from 10.

They restricted Brockhampton to a below par 121 for nine from a reduced 42 overs before Bromsgrove knocked off the runs in reply with comparative ease, reaching 123 for four with fully five overs to spare.

Jayden Levitt led the spree with 30 but it was debut boy Matthew Russell who really caught the eye with 29 not out and together with Deon Patel on 21 not out, guided Bromsgrove home.

Skipper Evenson was full of praise for the veteran Williams and claimed: "Gareth is the ideal bowler to exploit seamer friendly conditions. He consistently beat the bat and throughout his spell there was a continual chorus of Oooh's and Aaah's!

"Gareth's getting on a bit now and I think he struggles getting down the stairs on a Sunday morning. But when he bowls like he did against Brockhampton, then it's worth it.

"I was also delighted with the performance of Matthew Russell. He came in as a late replacement for the injured Mike Hingley and was completely unfazed. He batted really well and just attacked the bad ball.

"It was vital that we beat Brockhampton who are bottom of the table. If you take out Worcestershire's Daryl Mitchell and Nick Powell, who was unavailable, then they're not the strongest.

"However, victory wasn't a given. You still have to take your chances when they come and that's what we did".

Bromsgrove entertain Oswestry this Saturday at St Godwold's Park and Evenson hopes to include Mike Hingley in his line-up as the batsman struggles to shake off a lower back injury.

But Evenson remains without the absent Tom Green and Tom Hill, while Jack Taylor isn't expected to return until the second half of the season after sustaining a torn knee ligament while away in Australia.

BARNT Green's clash with Walsall in Birmingham League Premier One was abandoned without a ball being bowled.