OMBERSLEY trail new Birmingham and District Cricket League Premier Division leaders Berkswell by only one point following an easy eight-wicket success at Worcestershire rivals Barnt Green.

The hosts were undone by the off-spin bowling of Ollie Uffindall (6-34) and dismissed for just 118.

Ombersley only required 16.5 overs to reach their target for the loss of two wickets, led by Liam Gwynne, who smacked 61 from 35 balls with 11 fours and one six.

Uday Kaul (32 not out) and Worcestershire's Brett D’Oliveira (19no) carried on the good work after Gwynne had departed.

Although Kidderminster Victoria continue to fly the flag for the league in the ECB National Club Championship, their form in the 55-over format has deserted them and they fell to a third defeat in four games.

They slipped to fourth place in the table and were overtaken by Berkswell, who beat them by 97 runs.

Batting first, after winning the toss, the Balsall Common side totalled 251-8 with the highlight of their innings being a sixth-wicket stand of 68 between former Warwickshire star Dominic Ostler (61) and Oliver Haley (33).

Gareth Williams took 3-53 for Kidderminster, who slumped to 154 all out in reply with Aussie seamer Dan Worrall picking up 5-55 for the new leaders.

Brockhampton romped to a valuable nine-wicket success over fellow strugglers Wolverhampton as the Black Country side crumbled to 123 all out despite the inclusion of Worcestershire's Tom Fell, who fell for a three-ball duck.

There were three wickets apiece for the Herefordshire club's Nick Powell, Chris Boroughs and Jamie McIlroy.

Ross Aucott hit 33 for Wolverhampton but the visiting attack could only make a single inroad as Brockhampton cantered to an easy win with Danny Irvine unbeaten on 64 and Boroughs on 31no.

For the second week running, Division One leaders Walsall played a rival for promotion and their four-wicket success at Bromsgrove saw them extend their lead to 15 points ahead of Old Hill.

Bromsgrove were never on the front foot against a tight attack, led by Ed Denham (3-25) and Paul Byrne (3-35), and were eventually bowled out for 143 with Worcestershire’s Alexei Kervezee (28) top scoring.

At 81-5, Walsall began to struggle before a sixth-wicket stand of 50 between Alex McChristie (36no) and Steven Plant (21) eased them to victory to reinforce their credentials as one of the favourites for promotion.

Himley’s recent return to form after a rocky start to the season is beginning to suggest a challenge at the top as they brushed aside Malvern's Barnards Green.

Bilal Hussein (54), Will Fraine (37) and Jamie Turner (34) helped Himley to 213-9 with the key partnership for the eighth wicket between Hussein and Turner realising 69 runs.

Andy Ford took 4-66 for Green but the home side’s batsmen had no answer to Turner, who picked up 6-15 from 10.3 overs as the Worcestershire side crashed to 132 all out.

Previous Division Two leaders Bridgnorth slipped to third place despite a routine six-wicket win at Worcester's Old Elizabethans.

Twenty-four point victories for Sutton Coldfield and Tamworth took them into the promotion places as the season’s halfway point approaches.

OEs were skittled for 97 with Dale Quiney picking up 5-44 for Bridgnorth, who cruised to a six--wicket win with Simon Gregory scoring 45 and Ryan Lockley unbeaten on 33 after they put on 60 for the third wicket.

Shifnal marked their return to their main ground with a close-fought affair against Herefordshire's Eastnor, who reached 227-9 from 55 overs after being inserted.

Jack Myers top scored with 60 and Jonty Mountford took 3-56 for Shifnal.

In reply, Shifnal hung on at 200-9 to secure only the second draw of the day in the whole league with Tom Collins hitting 36 and Atiq Ur Rehman bagging 3-54 for Eastnor.

In Division Three, high-flying C & R Hawks and Aston Manor won at Astwood Bank and Worcester respectively.

Johar Ahmed (4-28), Omar Ali (3-5) and Nadeem Akram (3-11) combined to dismiss Bank for 91 before Ali smashed an unbeaten 57 from 31 balls, including nine fours and two sixes, to rush Hawks to an eight-wicket win in 10.2 overs.

Shaun Findlay (89) and Russell Guy (42) put on 94 for the fourth Manor wicket at Worcester, which saw the Perry Barr side to 216 all out.

Liam Kellcher took 4-67 for Worcester, who slumped to 103 all out with Findlay claiming 3-27 and debutant James Harris 3-28 after his move from Marston Green.