HALESOWEN will look to gatecrash this season's promotion party when they go to second-placed Shifnal this Saturday.

They are just 23 points adrift of the final promotion spot in Birmingham and District League Division One ahead of this weekend's crunch clash.

A win would push them well into contention with four games to play this season.

The first of those will then see Brockhampton visit on Bank Holiday Monday.

However, Hales will have to hit back following last Saturday's disappointing defeat against third-from-bottom side Leamington.

A fourth wicket partnership of 105 between William Mashinge (107 not out) and veteran Rob Williams (61) saw the visitors to Seth Somers Park to an excellent total of 264-5 against a misfiring Halesowen attack.

Mashinge held the innings together while Williams’ contribution was far more explosive, striking seven fours and three sixes in 42 balls.

After Ed Kilbee (55) was dismissed at 123-5, Halesowen crumbled to 167 all out in 40 overs, off-spinners Nabeel Asghar (4 for 22) and Perry Derrick (3 for 48) doing the damage.

Skipper Alexei Kervezee said: "We had two moments in the game where we have not clicked. The first when Rob Williams came in and blasted away what would have been a gettable total to one which was above par. Then, when we batted, we failed to capitalise on a sound opening stand. It’s that simple really.

"Next week we have Shifnal and that will be important to bounce back quickly. We are still well in the race and the bank holiday will be critical to our end of season destiny."

In other matches, the second, third and fourth teams all lost last weekend.

Meanwhile, veteran Richard Cox has now decided to quit Birmingham League cricket following Halesowen second XI's clash at West Bromwich Dartmouth last Saturday.

Cox leaves after 44 seasons, five decades and more than 850 matches. He spend 25 of those years at West Bromwich Dartmouth and 18 with Halesowen, as well as one season with Harborne.

He said: "With the re-organisation of the league for 2019 and after 25 seasons at West Bromwich Dartmouth and 18 at Halesowen it’s time for a few others to lead the game onwards."