HALESOWEN are out of the ECB National Knockout at the first hurdle – but skipper Richard Brooker says the club were just happy to finally get their season started.

Brooker’s side were beaten by Kenilworth Wardens in a rain-affected game which reduced the overs.

The visitors scored 223-8 from 42 with Eddie Rhodes taking 4-35 and in reply Halesowen were bowled out for 134. Kester Moseley offered resistance with an impressive 50.

Brooker said: “It was a difficult first weekend for all the teams and although one or two of our players shone in each of the games, which was good to see, there will need to be some more substantial contributions from other players to get the season moving in the right direction.

“It’s early days and a long way to go and in some ways it was just pleasing to get out there and get some cricket played after the recent poor weather and of course a really good start for all our youngsters in the 4th team under new skipper Rob Reeves.

“It all goes to show that, no matter how hard you train, there is no substitute for time spent in the middle.”

Saturday saw a combined first and second team take to the field to play Astwood Bank – and the rusty Halesowen batsmen were dismissed for 165.

Will Barrett top scored with 45, Mohammed Shauib notched 25 and both Dean Patel and Mark Fisher scored 20.

Astwood Bank won by eight wickets with debut boy Jack Myers taking 2-26 for Halesowen and Eddie Rhodes 2-27.

In the league games, the third XI lost a hard fought game at Martley where only Tom Williams (37) and Richard Cox (27) got to grips with the damp conditions and as the surface dried out Martley edged home by one wicket chasing down 137.

Comeback-kid Charlie Tromans picked up 4-29 in 14 hostile overs for Halesowen backed up Scott Jones 2-21.

The fourth XI triumphed over their counterparts chasing down 141 and winning by seven wickets. Rob Reeves (3-10) Hassan Akram (2-13) Charlies Greening (2-26) were the key bowlers whilst Ben Dunn’s unbeaten 85 was the cornerstone of the reply.

This Friday the club plays host to a Quiz night where all entrants are welcome with an 8pm start in the Club Lounge (£5 Adults £3 Children).

To register, or for more information, please contact Donna Tromans (07702 822 331) or Laura Payne (07968 271 009).

This Saturday sees the firsts welcome Coventry and North Warwickshire (12noon). The second go to West Bromwich Dartmouth.