HALESOWEN'S season was once again blighted by the weather in a tense affair at Sutton Coldfield.

Having bowled the hosts for just 137 thanks to the efforts of Dylan Ross-Watt (4-48) and Eddie Rhodes (3-36), Halesowen came a little unstuck in their reply as they stuttered to 112-8 with four overs remaining when the rain came.

Only Hassan Quami (23) and Jamie Harris (27) looked like building a meaningful innings as the Sutton bowlers created pressure on a difficult batting surface. The losing draw sees Halesowen placed at eighth in the table.

Club captain Richard Brooker once again lamented on a couple of key areas in the game. He said: "Another excellent and improving performance and but for a couple of poor umpiring decisions in the middle of the game, which brought Sutton back in to it, we were well on top.

"When the rain came the game was in the balance and could have gone either way. Next week we are at Wombourne and looking to get stuck in."

The second team were trounced at home by Himley in a low-scoring affair when chasing Himley's 108 all out.

Halesowen could only muster 88 on a surface that was enjoyed by the spinners on both sides.

For Halesowen, Adam Hawker (5-27) Charlie Greening (2-35) and Tony Bullock (2-27) all bowled with control on a worn surface whilst Himley off-spinner Tom Rhodes retuned figures of 3-19.

Meanwhile, in the Worcestershire League, the club's third team was defeated by Bromsgrove in the rain at St Godwalds Park.

Chasing a total of 232-8 only Scott Jones (41) and Nathan Hines (39) looked in any sort of form as the Halesowen reply closed on 157-6.

Finally, the fourths were bundled out for 156 at Bredon with Matt Slater (42) the only real contribution and in reply Bredon knocked off the runs with seven wickets in hand.

This Saturday will see the first team go to Wombourne (noon start), the seconds welcome Wolverhampton (12.30pm), the thirds host Tenbury (1pm) and the fourths go to Rushwick (1pm).