THE form book went out of the window on Saturday as high-flying Barnt Green suffered an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of struggling Kidderminster in the Birmingham League Premier.

Green had went into the game on the back on two wins in a row but they suffered derby defeat at the hands of their Worcestershire rivals after a poor display with the bat.

Kidderminster won the toss at the Chester Road and put the visitors into bat.

Green then fell victim to the spin of the impressive Connor Smith (5-21) as they were surprisingly all out for just 101.

Sam Cheshire (0) and William Baker (0) went early on and while Ed Pollock struck 29 before Thomas Kimberlin caught him off Smith.

Green suffered a setback when the in-form Matt Lamb, whose average is 63, limped off injured with shin splints.

Skipper Andy Sutton hit a patient 24 before falling victim to Charlie Stainforth as they were dismissed for 101.

Kidderminster knocked off the runs in 20 overs, with Craig Wood (38) and Neil Pinner (36) top scoring.

Sutton admitted the players were upset after a disappointing display.

He said: “We lost the toss but there was no excuses, we just lacked some application and paid for it.

“The players tried to play some big shots and were punished for it.

“Matt Lamb has been one of our best players but he’s played a lot of cricket and had to go off with shin splints, which was a blow.

“Connor Smith bowled well but too many of the players tried to bat around him.

“I would never question the players’ attitude, there were all dejected after the game.”

Green slipped two places to sixth in the table and Sutton is hoping Lamb, Simon Jackson and Faisal Shahid available for Saturday’s home clash against leaders Ombersley (noon start).

With second-placed Wolverhampton the opponents away from home on June 25, Sutton believes they they face a make or break period.

The captain said: “The next two weeks will define our season.

“We want to be pushing the sides at the top and two positive results will get us back on track, while two defeats would see us scrapping for mid-table or lower.”