BROMSGROVE skipper Mark Evenson believes his side will still prove a force to be reckoned with this season - providing they can get their best side together.

Evenson admitted: "We're playing as individuals at the moment and not as a team. We need to get back to basics and start building partnerships."

Evenson was again left on the sidelines through injury as Bromsgrove lost out to local rivals Halesowen by 78 runs in Birmingham League Division One.

Unlucky Evenson is still waiting for his fractured thumb to heal but remains under no illusions that Bromsgrove must start putting points on the board.

Although Bromsgrove inserted Halesowen into bat, they were soon undone by opening batsman Ed Kilbee who cracked a magnificent 145, providing the foundations for a healthy total of 265 for nine.

Bromsgrove were soon in trouble when they replied after slumping to 58 for five.

Lewis Cordes, who was promoted from the second XI, steadied the ship with 51 before Alec Baker blitzed 86 off 96 balls.

But Bromsgrove still fell well short as they were bowled out for 187 and Evenson added: "At 58 for five, we were staring down the barrel.

"Having been set a target of 265, the best we could have hoped for was a draw;."

It didn't help that Bromsgrove were again without Aaron Thomason who was busy impressing for Warwickshire in the Royal London One Day Cup.

Evenson has already ruled Thomason out for this Saturday's clash with Bridgnorth at St Godswald Park as Warwickshire are away at Durham on Friday.

And Evenson accepted: "We've only had Aaron for one game out of seven so far, which isn't a very good return. At the moment we just can't seem to get the 11 players out that we want."

Bromsgrove will also be missing Greg Chinn and Alec Baker, so Tom Green looks set to step up from the seconds.

Evenson added: "The seconds have won four-out-of-four at the moment and I'm hoping they can bring some of that confidence to us. At the moment we need to steady the ship, because we've not had the best of starts."

Evenson will try out himself through a net session this week before deciding whether to play.

He said: "I still haven't got the mobility I would like yet with the thumb and it all depends on whether I can grip the ball properly. But it's getting towards a case of needs must."