Stourbridge firsts remain top of Division One of the Worcester Crusader League after they picked up a winning draw over rivals Oldswinford in their rain-affected encounter.

Oldswinford were asked to bat first by Stourbridge skipper Keith Jones and on a damp wicket they reached 177 in 39 overs. James Holloway and Thomas Blunt braved the slippery surface and put on 38 and 34 respectively.

The further curtailing of the match meant that Stourbridge needed to score the 177 in just 29 overs.

Alex Bingham made a belligerent start to the Stourbridge's innings. He and Oli Hill put on 52 when the young U16 year-old Connor Gater struck and had Bingham caught for 33. Two quick wickets gave the home side a hope of victory.

Hill played the anchor role as he reached his 50.

Batting with Hanssar Nadeem (23) the pair saw Stourbridge reach 140 off 29 overs. Stourbridge had to make do with the contrived winning draw based on the league rules.

This Saturday, Stourbridge will welcome Pershore to the War Memorial Ground before travelling to Redditch on Monday for an early season top-of-the-table clash (both 1.30pm starts).

Meanwhile, Oldswinford will head to Worcester on Saturday before hosting Astwood Bank on Monday.

Stourbridge seconds also managed to get a winning draw at home to their Oldswinford counterparts despite the murky weather conditions. Stourbridge were asked to bat first and scored 233 runs with Josh Banks hitting 72.

The middle order then provided the impetus through Pete Kligerman (38), and new signing, and Matt Ross (39).

It was a surprise that the weather did not intervene at the Memorial Ground with the thirds match being abandoned just a stone throw away with a water-logged ground.

Despite the marathon spells of bowling by Shabir Butt and Mikesh Patel, Oldswinford lost by just six wickets.

Jonathan Stainer blasted 87 runs for the visitors The fourths lost their away fixture to Halesowen. Stourbridge scored 132 in the 43 overs available. Peter Griffths masterminded his 47 in difficult conditions.

However, the hosts needed just 39 overs to reach the Stourbridge total and bagged 20 points.

Netherton.

Netherton remain bottom of Crusader Worcesterhire County League Division One after losing their opening four fixtures.

Last Saturday they suffered a five-wicket defeat at home to Worcester.

Batting first the hosts reached 178-8 off their allotted overs with Simon Oseland hitting 58.

The visitors cruised to the total to win by five wickets.

Netherton will be hoping to kick-start their campaign over the Bank Holiday.

This Saturday they travel to Astwood Bank before welcoming Barnards Green on Monday (both 1.30pm starts).

Lye.

The firsts lost at home to Coombs Wood last Saturday in Division Two of Crusader Worcestershire County League.

Batting first the hosts reached a modest total of 152 all out on a damp wicket.

The visitors reached the total with three wickets in hand.

Meanwhile the seconds fixture away at Coombs Wood was washed out.

This weekend the firsts will travel to Monmouth on Saturday before hosting Bewdley on Monday.

Hagley.

In Division Three, Hagley firsts game away at Cutnall Green was a victim of the weather, with the pitch unsuitable for play due to rain all week.

Over the bank holiday weekend, Hagley entertain local rivals Belbroughton on Saturday and travel to Enville on Monday.

The seconds hosted Chaddesley Corbett at their Hagley Hall ground.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bowl in the tough conditions.

Chaddesley reached 69-0 before Robert Bond (26) was out lbw, with conditions deteriorating Hagley began picking up wickets with Ash Hussain (5-44) the pick of the bowlers.

However, Rob Teague (102*) batted through the innings reaching his century in the final over.

Chaddesley finished on 167-9 from their 50 overs.

Hagley's innings was reduced to 40 overs but an opening stand of 130 between Ian Watt (88*) and Ash Hussain (32) helped Hagley ease to their target for the loss of two wickets. Captain Neil Allport said: "It was a good performance in the tough conditions, the bowlers managed to keep going and Ian played very well to help us ease to victory."

The seconds, who are now third in Division Two travel to Pedmore on Saturday and host Colwall on Bank Holiday Monday.

Amblecote and Wollaston.

The firsts moved 13 points clear at the top of Worcestershire County League Division Four North after picking up a home win against Barnt Green.

The hosts won the toss and put the opposition into bat. The home side made it very difficult for Barnt Green to score freely with accurate, line and length bowling and took wickets regularly throughout the innings to see the visitors bowled out for 126.

After tea, the home side's top order were ruthless in chasing down the total.

Vice captain John Pearsall was once again in the runs, scoring a well made 50.

Captain Rob Hamblett said: "It was great team performance, I can't highlight any one member of the team because everybody contributed in some way.

"I just hope we can carry this form on for the rest of the season."

Halesowen.

Halesowen bounced back from a fairly dismal Saturday with a comfortable Sunday win against Droitwich.

Rain played a part in all of Halesowen's Saturday matches.

In the Birmingham League Division One, Halesowen firsts played Attock at home at Seth Somers Park and after winning the toss put Attock into bat.

In an innings interrupted by rain for 90 minutes, the visitors scored a total of 204-9 declared off 48 overs, with 16-year-old Warwickshire Academy player Junead Zaman scoring 59 and Sultan Mahmood 49.

Hales bowlers struggled throughout with the wet ball with Laeq Chishti taking 3 for 60 off 15 overs.

A winning draw target of 120 off 28 allocated overs was the only realistic target for Halesowen whose innings had reached 20 for 2 off 12 overs when the umpires called a halt to proceedings due to bad light.

As a result Halesowen took nine points from the abandoned match, and remain ninth in the table.

This coming Saturday they play Shrewsbury away at London Road and on Monday (May 26), they are at home against Bromsgrove.

The Sunday firsts continued their impressive start to the season with a comfortable win at home to Droitwich.

After bowling the visitors out for 161, Halesowen completed the deserved victory with over 15 overs to spare.

Phillip Croft was extremely impressive with the ball claiming 4 for 39 off 7 overs, while Kester Moseley finished unbeaten on 52.

Halesowen travel to Swindon this coming Sunday (May 25).

Himley.

Himley will be looking for their first league win of the season as they prepare for a busy Bank Holiday weekend.

Following Saturday's abandonment away at Walsall with only two overs of play possible, the Stourbridge Road outfit have been unable to chalk up victory in the opening three rounds of the Birmingham and District Premier Cricket League season.

They will be looking to put that right this weekend.

On Saturday, they travel to fellow strugglers Leamington Spa, before hosting Moseley on Monday (both 1pm starts).