SKIPPER Mark Evenson feels Bromsgrove are getting back on track after a few rocky weeks.

Saturday’s losing draw against Wellington in Birmingham League Division One ended a run of four straight losses.

But it was the manner of the performance that had the captain smiling as the Boars demonstrated tenacity and determination with the bat.

Wellington won the toss and decided to bat, making 291-9 in 55 overs, with Bhargav Merai (111) turning the game in the away side’s favour.

Ashley Newfield (4-83) and teenager George Marshall (3-59) were Bromsgrove’s main wicket-takers.

But the hosts demonstrated more solidity in reply, with Newfield (55), Ben Tegg (26), Jayden Levitt (61), Matt Dallaway (43) and Ryan Pedley (44 not out) among the runs as Bromsgrove made 243-4.

Evenson said: “It was a very good performance.

“We knew it was going to be hard to chase down Wellington’s total unless we got off to a flying start.

“But we showed discipline and fight and made sure we didn’t throw the game away.

“It was definitely a result we can build on.”

Bromsgrove face in-form Himley on Saturday without several players, with Newfield, Levitt, Tom Green, Tegg and Dallaway absent.

But Lewis Cordes and Ali Hickman are set to return as is Worcestershire’s Alexei Kervezee.

“We are missing a few but it’s a chance for players to take their chance,” added Evenson.

Elsewhere, George Cracknell and Matt Russell starred with the bat as the seconds made light work of chasing Handsworth’s 177-7.

Cracknell (97no) and Russell (33no) saw the Boars to an eight-wicket victory.

Earlier, Handsworth recovered from a slow start thanks to Jaynesh Patel (61) and Lemmar Moncrieffe (58).

But a tight bowling display from the Boars’ attack kept the home team pegged back throughout their innings, with wickets shared around — Will Tuffin (2-48) and Mark Meacham (2-34) and victims for Graeme Whiles (1-33) and Matt Banham (1-37).

A strong batting display from the thirds proved a step to far for their hosts Alveley.

Bromsgrove made 268-8 from their 50 overs, thanks mainly to Henry Marshall (51) and skipper Paul Husbands (63) after a solid start from Paul Hutchins (39) and Steve Thomas (26).

Matt Crane removed the dangerous Will Rodenhurst (2) and with skipper Chris Parkes struggling to get going, Alveley fell behind the required run-rate.

Crane finished with 2-22 and Tom Russell picked up 2-20, but Chris Burford shone with the ball as he took a season-best 6-42 as Alveley were bowled out for 141.