HALESOWEN skipper Richard Brooker admit he’s concerned about his side after they slumped to defeat at Coventry.

And he’s vowed to get to the bottom of the issue which saw them bowled out for just 88 runs after getting the hosts out for a mediocre 140.

Brooker said: “Having bowled and fielded pretty well in the early part of the game to restrict Coventry to 140 we should have knocked them off with some comfort.

“That we didn’t is of some concern at this early stage in the season as Cov are not perceived to be front-runners in the league this year.

“We will talk with the batters at the club and work out a way round the issues of the weekend but this level of approach to batting cannot continue if we are to have a successful season.

“We have to put a marker down where standards are concerned at this club and that didn’t reach what we have discussed.

“Although it’s early days and we have time to settle in we need to change our approach.”

In the bowling department the wickets were shared by Eddie Rhodes (2-20) Hassan Quami (2-18) Brooker (2-25) and Dylan Ross Watt (2-33).

But with the bat only Ed Kilbee (27) showed any form as ‘Owen’ were bowled out for just 88 in 31 overs.

The second and third team also endured defeats against Shifnal and West Malvern respectively whilst the fourths picked up a victory over Astwood Bank.

The second team were defeated by 69 runs with only Mohammed Shauib (43) and Luke Miley (32) showing with the bat whilst the 3rds lost by 39 runs with Carl Bust retuning figures of 3-24 and Jon Webb striking a quickfire 38.

The fourths were indebted to Vince O Grady (56) and Riaz Khan (46) for their four wicket victory.

This week the club is in action Birmingham League with games as follows on Saturday, May 6.

1st XI 12:00 Cannock and Rugeley Hawks CC - 1st XI (H) Seth Somers Park 2nd XI 12:30 Kenilworth Wardens CC (A) - 2nd XI 3rd XI 13:00 Hallow CC - 1st XI (H) Earls High School 4th XI 13:00 Kempsey CC - 4th XI (A)