HALESOWEN Cricket Club kept their promotion hopes alive with a magnificent 33-run win over in-form Penkridge last Saturday.

Richard Brooker’s side continued their recent revival to claim a 24-point victory for the second successive week and move up to third in the Birmingham and District League Division Two table.

Jack Myers (91) led Halesowen to a modest total of 194 all out after they lost the toss and were put in to bat.

At the halfway stage their hopes of posting a good score looked slim, but a fine all-around bowling and fielding performance saw them dismiss Penkridge for just 161.

Masharraf Shazad (3-19), Will Barrett (2-28) and Eddie Rhodes (2-30) played key roles with the ball as they sealed a 33-run win.

Returning skipper Brooker was delighted with a superb win as they prepare to continue their late-season charge for the top two against Oswestry at the Seth Somers Park on Saturday (noon start).

Brooker said: “Jack Myers played brilliantly to get us into the game with his attacking 91, but a score of 194 meant Penkridge would always be in the game.

“The bowlers maintained discipline throughout and continued to ask questions which paid off in the end.”

It was otherwise a tough day for the club with their remaining three teams all suffering disappointing defeats.

A half-century from Mohammad Shauib (57) was not enough to prevent the second XI from being dismissed for 156 in response to a score of 236 against Knowle and Dorridge.

It was a similar tale for the third XI, with only five wickets from Charlie Greening and an excellent knock from Scott Jones (70) offering any resistance as they went down by 61 runs against Himley.

The fourth XI were also well beaten by Himley with a 71-run defeat dealing their promotion hopes a bitter blow.

They will look to get their promotion challenge back on track as they host Himbleton on Saturday (1pm), whilst the seconds and thirds head to Walmley and Five Ways respectively as they both aim to avoid relegation.

Meanwhile, Halesowen will again contest this year’s popular Black Country Floodlit T20 competition at Himley.

The event will be held over six days from this Sunday, with the final on Friday, August 26 as sides battle for the Joe Brandrick President’s trophy.