A SUPERB batting display from Ed Kilbee helped Halesowen to victory over Bromsgrove.

He smashed 145 from 165 balls to eased Hales to an imposing 265 last Saturday. Bromsgrove were then dismissed for just 187.

Ash Newfield took 3-66 for the visitors but, apart from Alec Baker (86) and Lewis Cordes (51), the Bromsgrove batting line-up showed little application against Dylan Ross-Watt (3-27), Eddie Rhodes (3-39) and Charlie Hartley (3-51).

Hales now lie sixth in the table just 25 points behind leaders Shifnal.

Captain Alexei Kervezee said: "We showed a lot of application at key times in the game.

"It was an outstanding and measured knock by Kilbee which allowed us to take the game out of Bromsgrove's reach. But credit to them they fought back well and made us rethink but in the end we were able to finish them off with some clinical bowling.

"We now need to build on this for next week at Leamington who are right behind us in the table. We need to string some back to back performances together and that’s the plan."

Meanwhile, the second team were bundled out for 78 having been 33-8 at one stage chasing Bromsgrove 2nd XI's 141-9 on a tricky surface at St Godwalds Road. Only Charlie Greenings 41 not out was of merit. The thirds were abandoned and the fourths lost by five wickets at West Malvern CC.

Hales firsts go to Leamington this Saturday for a noon start.

The second host West Bromwich Dartmouth at Seth Somers Park (12.30pm), the thirds welocme Hallow to Earls High (1pm) and the fourths are at Hallow seconds.