RICHARD Evans says Tarryck Gabriel’s batting was a crumb of comfort from Halesowen’s weekend defeat at Shifnal.

Gabriel enjoyed his best innings of the season with 55 when chasing down what seemed to be a modest Shifnal total – but the home side ran out winners by 22 runs.

Evans said: “I asked for a response after we were soundly beaten at Eastnor a fortnight ago and we followed that up with a victory against Brewood and a winning draw from Stourbridge both on our own track.

“Saturday has shown, however, the naivety we tend to show batting on unpredictable away wickets.

“We appeared to learn nothing from Shifnal’s innings and the characteristics of the wicket and were maybe too attacking in our own approach.

“Taking what little we can from this performance it was good to see Tarryck (Gabriel) and Rich (Brooker) both among the wickets.

“Tarryck’s innings was by the far the best he has played for the club and it’s a pity none of the others were able to stay with him long enough to make the difference.’

A suspect looking wicket made it look like a good toss to win and after reducing Shifnal to 17-2 the decision by Halesowen captain Faisal Shahid to bowl first was certainly vindicated.

However, Shahid dropped Shifnal’s overseas star Muhamed Ayub early in his innings and Ayub and opener Collins then put together a partnership of 69 for the third wicket before Collins (33) was out leg before to the bowling of Zain Shahid.

One wicket quickly became three and from 86-2 Shifnal were reduced to five down without adding to the score with Tarryck Gabriel taking two wickets in as many balls.

Ayub was dismissed for 38 and Chadwick sent back without troubling the scorers. Only Sam Cotter (37 no) represented any sort of resistance to the Halesowen attack with Gabriel the pick of the bowlers finishing with impressive figures of 4-51 from his maximum 17 overs. Rich Brooker provided excellent back up to Gabriel at the other end and his 3-16 restricted Shifnal to 144 all out.

Halesowen’s response got off to a solid start with Hassan Qaumi and Jujhar Johal putting on 25 for the first wicket before Qaumi (11) fell to the bowling of Edwards.

In form batter Ben Stebbings (14) was the next wicket to fall when he chased a wide delivery from Mountford and was caught behind. Only Gabriel, who batted with great maturity for his 55, provided any sort of resistance to the Shifnal bowling as wickets continued to fall to a series of rash shots. Iain Mills returned figures of 5-24 for Shifnal with Gabriel last out for Halesowen having reached just 122. Shifnal ran out winners by 22 runs.

Back at home, the seconds were reduced to 83-5 before a stand of 126 between Kester Moseley (114) and keeper Joe Tromans (67) put Hales in the driving seat with their innings closed at 236-7. They gained a winning draw to go second.

This weekend sees the first at home against Wombourne (noon) while the seconds travel to Stratford.