HALESOWEN skipper Alexie Kervezee saved his side from certain defeat when they faced a star-studded Ombersley side in Birmingham League Premier Two.

Kervezee kept Ombersley at bay with a compelling 71 as Halesowen closed on 139 for eight after being set a testing target of 176 for six to chase in a match that was reduced to 33 overs owing to rain.

Ombersley were able to call upon current Worcestershire players Brett D'Oliveira, Josh Dell and Ross Whiteley who soon made light of the damp conditions when they batted first.

D'Oliveira made 63 while Dell added a further 61 despite the efforts of Halesowen bowlers Hassan Qaumi who claimed figures of three for 38 from his 10 over spell while Eddie Rhodes picked up three for 65.

In reply, Halesowen struggled against the slow bowling of Neil Slade who finished with four for 33 while former Worcester and Somerset player Gareth Andrew grabbed two for 56.

Skipper Kervezee said afterwards: "We're a little understrength but the positive is that we're giving players plenty of opportunity to perform.

"At the moment, those opportunities aren't being maximised and we're relying on too few people to get us through games.

"We will get stronger, but we also need a few players to step up and show their worth."

Halesowen take on top of the table Leamington this Saturday.

Both the Seconds and Fourths saw their games abandoned owing to the poor weather, but the Thirds managed to get a run out against Worcester Second XI.

Worcester were contained to 200 as Chris Jones, Danny Ahmed, James Knowles and Carl Bust all shared two wickets apiece.

But in reply, only John Aston with 56 and Shaz Gill on 57 managed to get going as the middle order petered out to leave Halesowen on 156 all out.

Halesowen's Womens XI played their inaugural game in the Worcestershire Women's Division Two competition against local rivals Romsley and Hunnington.

Batting first, Halesowen reached an impressive 177 with Emma Butt 32, Sarah Williams 30 and Caroline Ibrahim 32 proving pick of the batting.

In reply, Romsley fell 100 runs short as Jade Pereira took two for 10 while the remaining wickets were shared in a comprehensively one-sided contest.