KIDDERMINSTER continue to struggle in Birmingham League Premier One after suffering another severe setback with an eight wicket defeat against reigning champions Smethwick.

Skipper Neil Pinner proved in peerless form with the bat by scoring 119 as Kidderminster posted a total of 235 all out.

But Smethwick responded in style as they stormed to a winning 238 for two in reply, reaching their target with 22 overs to spare.

Kashif Ali kickstarted Smethwick's response with a sublime 115 off 78 balls and found support from his Worcestershire county coach Kadeer Ali who contributed a further 59 as the champions chased down their target with comparative ease.

Pinner, who plundered 15 fours and a six from his 119, had put on 142 for the second wicket with former Derbyshire, Warwickshire and Glamorgan player Graham Wagg who struck a spirited 64 but it proved to no avail as Kidderminster remain rooted at the bottom of the table, some 39 points adrift of safety.

Halesowen have taken over top spot after beating previous leaders Wolverhampton by seven wickets.

Wolves were reduced to 85 for six at one stage when batting first but recovered to reach 183 for nine, thanks largely to former Halesowen player Hassan Qaumi, who hit 56 while New Zealand's Ben Horne provided a further 40.

Halesowen seamers Eddie Rhodes with two for 24 and James Rudge with two for 47 caused initial damage with the ball, but it was another seamer. Ed Bragg who took the bowling honours by bagging four for 58.

Confident Halesowen then chased down their target in reply to reach a winning 185 for three with four overs in hand,

Ben Tredget with 69 and Si Gregory who struck 45 laid the foundation for victory before Alexei Kervezee on 31 not out and Luke Tulacz with 24 not out saw their side home.

Barnt Green breezed to a 38 run triumph over Kenilworth Wardens to record their first win in Premier One this term.

The Green struggled with the bat before a lower order recovery led them to a final total of 202 for nine.

Cameron Jones cracked 54 not out and found an unlikely partner in last man Adam Hines who added an unbeaten 20 not out, the pair putting on a critical 63 runs for the final wicket.

Wardens were under the cosh from the start of their reply against the experienced Green attack of Hines and Andy Sutton.

Hines had a day to remember after taking four for 36 while Sutton snapped up three for 49.

Darrel Williams also got in on the act taking two for 35 as Wardens finished well short on 164 all out.

Leaders Halesowen host The Green this Saturday while Kidderminster travel to Malvern based Barnards Green.

Himley have climbed to second spot in Premier Two after pulling off a commanding seven wicket win over Coventry and North Warwicks.

Coventry collapsed to 117 all out after Ben Robinson and Jamie 'Dodge' Turner both captured three wickets apiece.

But it was Ollie Walker's brief contribution with the ball that really stood out, as he also bagged three wickets without conceding a run.

Connor Smith then smacked a quickfire 40 while Bilal Hussain added 34 to lay the platform for victory before Nav Vithanage saw Himley home on 118 for three , having made 27 not out.

Jayden Levitt continued his brilliant form with the bat for Bromsgrove by securing his third century in four games against top of the table Dorridge.

Levitt lashed 110 runs off 151 balls, his innings comprising of 11 fours and four sixes.

Yet it still wasn't enough to defeat Dorridge who hit back to beat Bromsgrove by two wickets.

Levitt lacked support as Bromsgrove were restricted to 183 for nine after David Ball with four for 47 and Perry Derrick with four for 40 made light of the remaining batsman after Leicestershire in-form bowler Chris Wright had claimed one for 19 from his 10 over spell.

Ben Shepperson then led the charge in reply with 55 as Dorridge raced to 187 for eight with 10 overs in hand.

Bromsgrove host Himley this Saturday at St Godwalds Park.