DESPITE outplaying their opponents, Halesowen had to settle for a draw against Shifnal at Seth Somers Park.

Hales did prevent the visitors from moving anywhere in the table, who hung on for a losing draw on 161 for nine after the home side had scored 245 for eight.

Ed Kilbee (81) and Hassan Qaumi (61) added 114 for the second Halesowen wicket, while Alex Wyatt (4-45) and Alex Riley (3-53) took seven of the eight wickets that fell, the eighth and final wicket falling to a run out.

After a decent start, moving to 46 without loss, Steve Leach was left to defend Shifnal’s honour, finishing unbeaten on 79 from 135 balls as Shifnal hung on at 161 for nine. Eddie Rhodes took 4-40 and Charlie Hartley took 3-42.

After the game – which was nail-biting to the end – Captain Alexei Kervezee said: “With 21 points separating eight clubs after seven games in the division, it goes to show what a tight league this is going to be this year.

“We knew at the start of the season that with the future status of West Midlands Cricket to play for (ready for 2019) that it would be like this and so far we are up there with the better teams.

“Next week we face Barnards Green and that will be a tester for us as they did well last year but we are playing good cricket so let’s see if we can inch one step further next week.

“It was great to see Ed Kilbee and Hassan Quami in full flow today and with Eddie Rhodes and Charlie Hartley in fine form with the ball it all augurs well.”

Asked about the club awarding a first team debut to 16-year-old Charlie Greening, Kervezee said: “It’s something we have been mulling over for a few weeks now and he has earned it with his wickets hauls in the 2nd XI not just this season but also in 2017.

“It was great to see him perform and get a few overs under his belt too. He is one for the future for sure and with Hassan Akram also back soon the youngsters are pushing on nicely as we can see from their performances in the seconds and thirds.”

Meanwhile the 2nd XI trounced Walsall at Gorway as they bowled first and saw the Staffordshire side collapse to 84 all out thanks to Scott Jones (4-20). In reply Halesowen knocked off the runs in comfortable style with the returning Harry Kitchen 45* backed up by Jones 23*. They now lie second in the table and just eight points behind local rivals Bromsgrove.

The third team travelled to the picturesque West Malvern CC where acting Captain John Aston batted first only to see his side collapse to 140 all out thanks to Shaz Gill’s 37. But Gill once again shone with the ball picking up 3-37 as West Malvern were skittled for 109 resulting in another 20 points for the 3rd XI leaving them top of the table for the sixth consecutive week.

The 4th XI totted up 200-4 in their 45 overs thanks to Matt Slater (66*) and Amandeep Singh (61). In reply West Malvern 2nds passed the total 5 wickets down scoring 204-5 to win with 10 overs to spare.

Halesowen’s firsts match away at Barnards Green will start at noon on Saturday, while the 2nd XI host Barnt Green at Seth Somers Park (12.30pm start).

The thirds will face Himley at Earls High (1pm), while the fourths will go in the opposite direction as they head to Himley.