HALESOWEN found themselves in new territory last weekend as the recently promoted first team came up against last year's relegated club Kidderminster at Chester Road.

After losing the toss they had to endure a Neil Pinner knock of some substance.

The former Worcestershire and Leicestershire top order man plundered 123 off just 104 balls with five sixes. Only Charlie Hartley (3-45) Dylan Ross-Watt (2-39) and Eddie Rhodes (2-42) were able to contain Kidder as they ended up on 245 from 50 overs.

In reply, Halesowen capitulated to 104 all out in a dismal batting display that lacked application and endeavour.

Captain Alexei Kervezee said: "That’s not good enough for this division and we know it. We have to be more vigilant in our batting and to lose a game with 20 overs to spare only needing another 140 runs or so shows how far adrift we were in our application for the task.

"We have had a good run so far and the signs have been good but we will need to work harder this week and be straight back at it next week at Bridgnorth."

Meanwhile, the second and thirds both had wins over Pershore and Romsley respectively.

Hales crashed out of the ECB National Knockout losing by nine runs to Wolverhampton for the second year in a row.