HALESOWEN CC got their Birmingham and District League Division Two season off to a winning start with success at Bromsgrove.

At 54-7, Hales were struggling against rivals Bromsgrove before a defiant 69 from Hassan Qaumi inspired a recovery to 201 all out in 46.4 overs.

With valuable assistance from the tail, Qaumi changed the momentum of the game after Alex Wilkinson had taken five for 47 for the hosts.

Worcestershire’s Alex Milton top scored for Bromsgrove with 48, batting at number three, but he was ninth out at 111, as former Bromsgrove seamer Charlie Hartley, newly signed by Shropshire, took 5-35. The home side were, eventually, all out for 123 to hand Halesowen a 78-run victory and a flying start to the season.

The second XI also took on Bromsgrove in the first round of 22 matches in the new Worcestershire County Cricket League.

Restricting the visitors to 170-9 in their 50 overs with the wickets shared between the returning Richard Brooker (2) Rob Horn (2) Nick Payne (2). Halesowen then romped home to win by seven wickets with Tom Williams (71) Jack Roberson (35) and John Aston (27) leading the way. The third team were defeated by 10 wickets.

Sunday saw Halesowen take on near neighbours Barnt Green in the ECB T20 Cup.

Batting first on a short boundary to the clubhouse side the Green amassed 183-4 in 20 overs. In reply, Halesowen fell one run short of the target in a pulsating finish thanks to 69 from Alexei Kervezee from just 42 balls.

Halesowen return to Barnt Green next Sunday in the ECB National 40 over KO competition and hope for a change in fortunes.

Summing up the weekend, Kervezee said: "Although Sunday was a disappointing end we have the opportunity next week to go back there and put it right which we are really looking forward to. But more importantly we got off to a stunning start in the league and we were indebted to Charlie Hartley and Hassan Qaumi for leading the way for us in a tricky situation.

"All in all its been a pleasing start to the season and I could not have asked much more of everybody for their efforts and desire this week. If we keep this up we will be a team to watch over the coming months."

Hales will now take on Harborne at Seth Somers Park this Saturday. The seconds are at Kidderminster seconds and the thirds go to Eastnor firsts.