KIDDERMINSTER suffered a second consecutive defeat in Birmingham League Premier One after early season pacesetters Smethwick inflicted the Chester Road side with a decisive 129 run reverse.

The decision which invited Smethwick to bat first soon backfired as the league leaders overcame an uncertain start to reach a resounding 298 for eight.

Having been 69 for three at one stage, Smethwick transformed their fortunes thanks to a fabulous innings of 140 from Muhammad Qamar Khan.

Kidderminster's bowling attack was put to the sword as Khan cracked 16 fours and six sixes off 133 balls.

Chris Steele managed to snap up three wickets, but they came at a cost, 90 runs to be precise, from his 10 over spell.

Liam Weston with two for 60 and Josh Tidmarsh who took one for 45 also received some heavy punishment making Charlie Stainforth's one for 34 off 10, the pick of the bowling figures.

In reply, Kidderminster also made a sticky start with the bat as they struggled to 43 for three.

Joe Miszkowski with a well compiled 63, threatened to turn matters around, but it was rising Warwickshire prospect Manraj Johal who made certain of a Smethwick success by taking five for 51 as Kidderminster crumbled to 169 all out in the 44th over.

The result means Smethwick go clear at the top having won all five of their games so far.

Kidderminster will be desperate to bounce back when they make the close trip to take on an Ombersley side who have lost all five games of the season so far.

Barnt Green have now taken over second spot after they eclipsed Shifnal by eight wickets.

Strike bowler Andy Sutton continued his outstanding start to the season with the ball by taking three for 22 and found himself admirably backed up by allrounders Ben Chapman-Lilley who took three for 35 while Jacques Banton bagged figures of three for 25.

They helped reduced Shifnal to a below par total of 175 all out despite the efforts of James Sookias who made 40, Ethan Jamieson 47 and Shaun Lorimer who finished on 34 not out.

But the Shropshire side's total was never enough as the Green cantered home in reply after reaching 176 for two in the 42nd over.

Opening bat Ben Chapman-Lilley again anchored the reply by reaching 58 off 112 balls while Jacques Banton blitzed a somewhat quicker 66 off 71 balls to ensure victory.

Halesowen must have thought they were well on target to secure their second success of the season against Leamington Spa.

They reduced the Spa side to 12 for four before the match turned on its head.

Oliver Currill joined forces with Luke De Souza at the crease and the pair promptly put on an outstanding 239 runs for the fifth wicket.

Opening bat De Souza supplied 113 while Currill accumilated 124 as Leamington posted an impressive total of 286 for nine,

Halesowen made an equally disastrous start when they replied losing both openers Alex AJ Hinkley and Alex Bingham with only one run on the board.

Alexei Kervezee steadied the innings with a timely 103 and found a willing accomplice in fellow Buckinghamshire Minor Counties man Ed Bragg who added a further 43.

It wasn't enough as Halesowen fell short by 40 runs after being reduced to 246 all out with Matt Davison, Jonathan Wigley and Tom Warmer all picking up two wickets.

The result was rough on Halesowen strike bowlers James Rudge and Eddie Rhodes who caused all the early damage in Leamington's innings.

Rhodes ripped out splendid figures of five for 47 while well backed up by Rudge who finished with three for 41.

Himley suffered a hefty 92 run reverse against Wolverhampton in Premier Two.

Having removed Worcestershire dangerman Tom Fell early in the innings, Himley were undone by opener Ramanjot Jarwal who carried his bat for 109.

Charlie Home hit a further 59 as Wolves reached 237 for six.

Worcestershire Academy player Ollie Walker caught the eye when claiming three for 42 while James Lunn took two for 33.

Himley then collapsed in reply and were reduced to 27 for six at one stage before Jamie ' Dodge' Turner led a rearguard recovery with 56 while Lunn with 33 and Ben Robinson on 24 not out helped stop the rot, but couldn't save the game at 145 for eight at close.

Former Worcestershire wicketkeeper Alex Milton laid the foundations for Bromsgrove's 40 run success over West Bromwich Dartmouth.

Milton made 89 not out as Bromsgrove reached 216 for six before then removing Dartmouth for 176 all out in reply.

Connor Smith with two for 27, Alex Wilkinson two for 43 and Mark Meacham three for 51 kept the Dartmouth response in check.

Bromsgrove will be bidding for more of the same this Saturday when they entertain league leaders Harborne at St Godwalds Park while Himley make the short trip towards Bridgnorth to face Birmingham League newboys Worfield.

Barnt Green face a battle of the titans in Premier One when they host reigning champions Berkswell, while Halesowen visit Shifnal.