FAISAL Shahid was philosophical in defeat after seeing his Halesowen side miss out at the weekend.

They went down to Penkridge by three wickets despite setting a useful total of 246-9.

Skipper Shahid said: “Good knocks from Ben Stebbings, when we needed to rebuild after the loss of two early wickets, and then especially Will Barrett and Wes Griffiths when we were looking to set a competitive total got us past 240 when at one stage getting past 200 looked like it would be difficult.

“When we got into them early we definitely had the whip hand but the Chisti brothers are both fine cricketers and we knew they wouldn't give their wickets up without a fight.

“If either batted through we were going to be up against it and so it proved.

“That's not to say we didn't help them in that respect though and we bowled too much loose stuff at them in the middle overs which meant they were always ahead of the run rate.

“We must learn quickly that if we can't take wickets we have to restrict the oppositions ability to score.”

Stebbings, making his first appearance for the club, set about rebuilding the innings after a poor start alongside Hassan Qaumi and the pair had put on 112 for the third wicket when Stebbings fell for 84.

With wickets still in hand Will Barrett (68) and Wes Griffiths (36) set about posting a competitive total and some fine hitting took them past 240 and securing the extra batting point.

Barrett finally fell to a good catch in the deep by Smith, again off Maher. The innings closed with Halesowen posting a very competitive 246-9.

The Halesowen bowlers were sharp out of the blocks and reduced Penkridge to 5-3 with Shahid removing both the openers.

The Chishti brothers, Laeq and Attiq, then put on 113 in good time before Laeq fell to the bowling of Zain Shahid for 54 in only the 26th over.

It was clear that Halesowen had to stifle the run rate or bowl out the opposition to emerge victors and whilst the wickets continued to fall steadily the runs flowed from Attiq Chishti who finished with an undefeated century and was ably backed up by Szewczyk (28) and Smith (27) to secure the victory for Penkridge.

The second XI returned from Penkridge victorious and after setting the hosts a target of 225, largely due to 57 from Richard Cox, Penkridge were bowled out for 162 with the spin attack of Lloyd, Johal and Musharraf taking six wickets between them.

This Saturday sees the first XI travel to the undefeated Old Elizabethans whilst the seconds will host winless Wellington.