OMBERSLEY’S poor run continued in the Birmingham League Premier as they slipped to a 77-run loss at home to in-form Kidderminster.

The away side had won the toss and opted to bowl first.

The hosts made an encouraging start when opening batsmen Liam Gwynne and Nicholas Hammond put together a stand of 68, but the partnership was broken up in the 17th over when Kidderminster keeper Tom Kimberlin stumped the former (41) off Matt Pardoe’s bowling.

The hosts rallied and made 112 before Uday Kault (20) gave Pardoe another wicket with a catch by Nathan Round. Pardoe was a constant thorn in Ombersley’s side and he struck again, with Jonathan Wright catching Joshua Dell for a duck.

Hammond was in great form and had scored 64 when the combination of Pardoe and Kimberlin dismissed him.

The score was 147-4 in the 41st over, and spin had done the trick. Neil Pinner and Wright continued to keep the score down as Ombersley struggled for runs.

Pinner had Fred Wynne (2) lbw, and Oliver Uffindall (23) was caught by Gareth Williams, bowled Wright.

Former Kidderminster man Ted Bayliss was caught by Neil Pinner, while Andrew Robertson (10) and Matthew Rawnsley (2) also went cheaply as Ombersley made 193-7.

Chris Russell, Connor Smith and Mike Hill all bowled but had little success on a spinners wicket, but Wright (1-22) and Pinner (1-51 from 17 overs) did well.

Ombersley’s hopes of stifling Kidderminster were dashed as they raced to 129-2, with Craig Wood (20) and Jon Wright (37) supporting Pardoe, who made 77 runs.

Pinner also made a telling contribution with 33 runs as Kidderminster made 195-6, despite three wickets for Rawnsley.

Ombersley have not won in four games and they slipped 69 points behind leaders Berkswell in sixth place, having topped the table at the start of June.

They go to third-placed Knowle & Dorridge on Saturday (noon start).