RECENTLY retired  Worcestershire skipper Daryl Mitchell proved he'd lost none of his prowess with the bat by spearheading  Ombersley's  nine wicket win over local rivals Kidderminster in Birmingham League Premier One.
Mitchell carried his bat to make 135 not out as Ombersley overtook Kidderminster's  target of 229 for eight with time to spare.
Runs flowed from the word go as  Kidderminster's Andy Kimberlin cracked 65 while Callum Bennett blitzed 85 off 91 balls, his innings including  11 fours.
The pair put  on  129 for the third wicket  while lower order bat Liam Weston supplied some late impetus with another 24 not out as Kidderminster set a testing total to chase down.
Mitchell made light of the target in reply, his 135 arriving off  143 balls which included no less than 18 fours.
The former Worcestershire stalwart found a willing partner in fellow opener Taylor Cornall who compiled a further 62, putting on 121 for the first wicket.
Nick Hammond then arrived at the crease to supply an unbeaten 31 not out as Ombersley achieved their objective by reaching 230 for one with six overs still remaining.
Kidderminster have slipped back to seventh place in the table as a result of this setback and will be looking to bounce back this Saturday when they entertain Moseley at Chester Road.
BARNT Green blew reigning champions Berkswell away with a comprehensive 91 run success and climb to second in the table as a result.
Ben Chapman-Lilley provided the backbone of Barnt Green's 207 for eight by scoring a patient 80 off 148 balls.
Dan Meredith with 25, Rheedyi Amin on 30 and Cameron Jones 24 not out, kept the scoreboard ticking over against Berkswell's high profile attack.
Former Middlesex and Leicestershire all rounder Neil Dexter proved the pick of Berkswell's bowling by taking three for 42 while former Leicestershire team mate Ateeq Javid claimed two for 39.
But it was Barnt Green's bowlers who made more impact.
Handy Andy Sutton continued his flying start to the season by claiming three for 11 off nine overs while Cameron Jones captured figures of  two for 44.
Only former Warwickshire man Grant Thornton on 34 made any impact with the bat for Berkswell before Oxfordshire's Robbie Shurmer polished off the innings by taking four for 39 as the champions crashed to 116 all out inside 28 overs.
Halesowen's hard start to the season showed no signs of improving as they suffered a six wicket reverse against Shropshire side Shifnal.
Wicketkeeper Wes Griffiths provided some rearguard resistance with 33 but a final Halesowen total of 140 all out was never enough.
Eddie Rhodes gave Halesowen a brief glimmer of hope when Shifnal replied by ripping out two quick wickets before Ethan Jamieson came back to haunt them.
Having earlier  taken five for 34 with the ball, Jamieson then struck 37 with the bat.
Support was on hand from Matt Lamb who made 38 while wicketkeeper James Sookias cracked 30 not out as Shifnal strolled home on 141 for four  in the 41st over.
Match of the day in Premier Two saw Bromsgrove hold top of the table Harborne to a draw.
That was after Harborne had set a target of 191 before Bromsgrove responded with 141 for eight in reply.
Scotland prospect Jasper Davidson made top score of 53 and found support from Tom Arnold on 41 and Tejas Wagle 46 before Harborne were bowled out in the 48th over.
Richard Kimberlin claimed cracking bowling figures of four for nine off five overs to put the skids under Harborne and found himself well backed up by Will Tuffin who took three for 28  whie Connor Smith claimed two for 26.
Opening bat Smith  then provided the backbone of Bromsgrove's reply by reaching  69 off 113 balls.
Once Smith had departed Bromsgrove were forced to dig deep and fend off Harborne's attack for 62 overs.
Himley had few problems when overcoming Worfield by six wickets.
Last season's Shropshire League champions have yet to win a game this season and never looked like getting off the mark against Himley after being skittled out for 128.
Ben Robinson bagged three for 21 while James Lunn took three for 40
However it was the left arm spin of Northampton's Graeme White which really caught the eye as he claimed four for 20.
In a hurry Himley then took less than 24 overs to achieve their target as they raced to 130 for four.
Callum Lea led the charge with 48 followed by Oliver Cox on 38 while Greg Wright came out of retirement to close on 28 not out.
Himley host Staffordshire champions Lichfield this Saturday while Bromsgrove travel to Wem.
Halesowen entertain Kenilworth Wardens in Premier One while Barnt Green visit Knowle and Dorridge in what should prove a mouth watering affair!