KIDDERMINSTER continued their dismal run of form in Birmingham League Premier One after suffering a three wicket reverse against defending champions Berkswell.

The defeat leaves Kidderminster hovering directly above the drop zone with just two games remaining in what is proving to be a very difficult campaign.

One time Warwickshire strike bowler Ryan Sidebottom snapped up figures of three for 12 as he made early inroads into Kidderminster's top order batting.

Callum Bennett kept him at bay for a while with a well compiled 47 before Berkswell skipper Nick James took charge.

The former Glamorgan slow bowler bagged compelling figures of four for 4 as Kidderminster crashed to 115 all out in the 32nd over, former Warwickshire and Leicestershire allrounder Ateeq Javid mopping up with two for seven.

Berkswell didn't have matters all their own way in reply as they lost seven wickets before reaching a winning 116 for seven.

It took a belligerent 47 from one time Middlesex and Leicestershire allrounder Neil Dexter to determine Berkswell's win.

Accurate bowling by Matt Pardoe with two for 24, Alex Rennie two for 14 and Liam Weston with two for 33 made Berkswell bat down towards their tailend before making it home.

Barnt Green didn't make the best of preparations ahead of their tilt towards the National  Club T20 title when heavily defeated by  139 runs against Shrewsbury.

Oxford University batsman George Hargrave showed why could soon be gracing county cricket after compiling a classy 139 off 115 balls.

Hargrave hit 19 fours and four sixes during his onslaught against the Barnt Green bowling attack.

The usually economical Andy Sutton went for 71 runs from his 10 overs but he did manage to pick up three more wickets, taking his season's tally to 64 with two games to go.

Fellow strike bowler Robbie Shurmer snapped up two for 42 as Shrewsbury piled on the runs to reach a daunting 270 for nine from their allotted 50 overs.

The total proved too much for Barnt Green who perished on 131 all out in reply.

After Worcestershire opening bat Ed Pollock departed for just five, Ben Chapman-Lilley with 28 and Rheedyi Amin on 42 put on 72 for the second wicket.

From that point the Green batsmen soon faltered against the bowling of rising Worcestershire prospect Harry Darley who finished with five for 25.

Halesowen went down by 50 runs to another star studded Ombersley side which comprised on several current and former county players.

Worcestershire players Josh Dell with 28 and Taylor Cornall on 40 set the tone before Nick Hammond  with 47 and former New Road favourite Daryl Mitchell on 43 enabled Ombersley to post 239 for nine.

Ed Bragg again proved the pick of Halesowen's bowling attack by bagging four for 36.

However, Halesowen quickly collapsed in reply as they soon slumped to 23 for four.

It was James Rudge who led a lower order revival by scoring 53 before running out of partners although Si Gregory supplied some vital support with 32.

His efforts proved in vain as Halesowen were bowled out for 189, former county players Gareth Andrew with two for 22 and  George Panayi who took three for 36 causing all the early damage.

Halesowen could hand Barnt Green a huge favour this Saturday when they visit third placed Moseley who are just a point behind the Green who in turn host lowly Leamington Spa.

Kidderminster will be keeping their fingers crossed for a positive result when they head to Knowle and Dorridge.

BROMSGROVE's brittle batting was all too evident again as they were bowled out for 126 by promotion prospects Barnards Green in Premier Two.

Alex Milton made top score of 25 as Bromsgrove failed to cope with the bowling of Phil Harris who took five for 23 while former Worcester and Leicestershire player George Rhodes grabbed figures of two for 20.

Openers Rehaan Edavalath with 37 and Ryan Tongue on 56 provided the backbone to Barnard's Green's total of 128 for two.

Ollie Walker inspired Himley had an emphatic 113 run win over Dorridge.

Walker shone with the bat by making 64 as Himley reached an imposing 236 for eight.

Walker was also amongst the wickets as Dorridge were dismantled for 123 in reply.

Saul Anstey made an early impression by picking up three for 17 before Walker waded in with two for 26.

Further wickets fell to Jamie 'Dodge' Turner who took three for 28 while Northamptonshire's Graeme White grabbed a belated two for five.

Himley host West Bromwich Dartmouth this Saturday while Bromsgrove travel to Dorridge.