HALESOWEN secured a nine-wicket win as visitors Oswestry fell to 79 all out.

Former Kent seamer Charlie Hartley took 6 for 34 for Halesowen who were steered to 83 for one by an unbeaten 43 from batsman Ed Kilbee and a tidy 24 not out from newcomer Hamza Ahmed.

Delighted captain Alexei Kervezee said: "We have had a decent start and put a marker down today even though it's early days. This time last year Oswestry were flying along with roughly the same line-up and we have demolished them.

"Charlie Hartley bowled particularly well today back up by Ross-Watt and Rhodes and its good to see him settling in I can see him being a major force in our team this year. "Credit too to Ed Kilbee who got his head down and steered us home. Fourth in the table is a good spot to be and its our aim to up there after the full round of 50 over matches (5) so lets hope we can keep it going at local rivals Kidderminster next week."

The second team, meanwhile, pulled off an unlikely victory chasing down 235 against Penkridge. Having slumped to 131-7 in the run chase they were saved by a quick fire 62 not out off 47 balls from new signing Rob Horn and 40 not out from Jack Roberson to complete a deserved three-wicket win that puts them in the top four of the early season table.

Similarly the third team beat Stourbridge in the ‘Number 9’ derby with Richard Cox (66*) Hayden Evans (53) and Jonty Preece (38*) firing Hales to 227-4.

In reply, three wickets for Chris Jones, Siddesh Chvavan and Archie Reeves knocked over Stour in comfortable style to complete a 123 run victory.

The fourth team had a less successful day bowling out Stourbridge for 112 but replying with just 76 to lose by 38 runs.

In the ECB National Knockout on Sunday, Hales took on arch rivals Old Hill in a reduced to 35 over affair at Haden Hill.

Batting first Hales fell to 160 all out. Jamie Harris (32) and Tom Williams (31) backed up by youngster Hassan Akram (25) were the main contributors.

In reply, Old Hill took the game to the last ball thanks to a 57 ball knock of 72 from Jonty Wright who was dismissed in spectacular fashion by Charlie Hartley needing just four runs to tie the game and win on less wickets lost as Hartley clean bowled him. Halesowen now go to Wolverhampton next Sunday for round two.