DELIGHTED skipper Wes Griffiths hailed a superb man-of-the-match display from Phil Croft as Halesowen beat Attock by 17 runs.

Croft cracked an impressive 50 to help dig his side out a hole as they recovered from 44-5 to 139 all out.

He then finished with figures of 6-52 as the visitors were skittled for 122 to their first win of the Birmingham League Division Two season.

Griffiths said: “We were in all kinds of trouble at 44-5 and I don’t think you can take anything away from Phil.

“It’s a performance which has been coming for a while.

“He is a young lad who showed glimpses of his potential a few years back and then had trouble with injuries.

“This season he has started strongly and I’m really excited about the kind of year he might have.”

Halesowen’s cause was aided by some wayward bowling from the visitors, whose total of 41 extras ultimately proved fatal in a tight encounter.

Griffiths believes the manner of the win, against a side expected to challenge for promotion this term, will only increase what is already a confident dressing room spirit.

He added: “This was a massive result. Even being bowled out for 139, I always thought we were in with a chance. I think the momentum had swung slightly back in our favour after recovering from 44-5.

“We have got a lot of faith in this team. We really believe in ourselves even if we are in a bit of trouble.”

Halesowen travel to Barnards Green this Saturday.

Old Hill will hope to make a much-delayed Division One bow at Moseley this Saturday after seeing last weekend’s game with Ombersley fall victim to the weather.

Dan Cox’s side did see action on Sunday but had a game to forget, as they suffered a 108-run defeat to West Bromwich Dartmouth to exit the National Knockout.