HALESOWEN crept up to eighth in the Birmingham and District Premier League thanks to a stunning century by captain Alexei Kervezee.

The skipper struck 102 off 99 balls with nine fours and three sixes as they defeated table topping Harborne last Saturday.

After restricting Harborne to 97-8 the game looked all but over as Rob Horn (4-40) steamrollered the Harborne middle order. But young Warwickshire keeper Jack Holloway steered Harborne out of trouble with a mature 77 accompanied by Dan Davis (40) as Hassan Akram (3-61) cleared up the innings.

Halesowen were soon after the Harborne attack with a quickfire 66 from Jamie Harris backed up by Ryan Lockley (45*) as Hales strolled to 20 points with 10 overs to spare. Next week they take on Bridgnorth in a game that could catapult one of the sides up the table should they get an outright win.

The second XI were also in fine form defeating Kidderminster in a low-scorer. Kidder were bundled out for just 147 thanks to Charlie Greening’s 4-35 but the champagne moment of the day was surely John Aston’s tumbling one handed catch at mid on to usher the close of the Kidder innings. Aston 67* and Alex Jordan (43) then completed misery for the Kidder team as the pair knocked off the runs with 14 overs remaining.

The third team were once again outclassed in a league which is proving strong and powerful for the young outfit. Struggling to 147 Eastnor 1st XI then passed the Hales total with 3 wickets in hand as the wicket takers were shared around the team. Young allrounders Archie Reeves (30) and Danyaal Ahmed with 29* were the only notable run getters as the team remain rooted to the bottom of the division.

The fourth team were defeated by Harborne 5ths in a one sided affair. Harborne clocked up 300 in their 45 overs as Halesowen were dismissed for just 120 to leave them 5th in the table. Finally the Womens 1st XI comfortably defeated Romsley and Hunnington in their midweek encounter scoring 193 as Romsley capitulated to 66 all out leaving Halesowen top of the table with 5 matches remaining and promotion to Division 1 now a distinct possibility.

Commenting on the weekends displays of the 1st XI, Kervezee was especially pleased for a number of his colleagues, saying: "This weekend we bounced back from a horror show against Bromsgrove and proved what we are capable of.

"Harborne were top of the table before today and flying. They have the most consistent overseas player in the League and we drilled them. It was great to see Jamie Harris back in harness and another ‘finisher’ innings from Ryan Lockley. But perhaps the best part of our day was Rob Horns mid innings spell where he bowled with accuracy and just the right areas to trouble the opposition.

"Its something we have been looking for. Next week we take on Bridgnorth and we owe them a proper game having been second best to them on the last few occasions."

On his own form he said: "Obviously passing the 500 run mark at the half way point in the season means a lot to me and I just want to keep performing. Last year was a learning curve for me as captain but this year the runs have flowed even though we have found it tough with the bat at times and I am enjoying my time at the crease."