WILL Chambers continued his rich vein of form as Hanley Castle and Upton thrashed Halesowen by 129 runs in Worcestershire League Division Four.

Batting first after losing the toss, Hanley made a bad start, losing Ollie Price for a duck before Alex Bullingham yorked Nick Bentley.

The seamer then bowled Matt Pratley to leave Hanley stuttering on 28-3.

But Chambers and Rory Mathews got their side out of trouble, with a stand of 187.

Wicketkeeper Luke Miley may feel at fault for not breaking the partnership, dropping a regulation chance off Mathews when Hanley were on 66-3.

Halesowen did not get another chance as Chambers and Mathews peppered the boundaries at will and ran well between the wickets.

Chambers compiled a run-a-ball 91 before ramping a shot to short third man off the bowling of Greenaway.

Mathews then holed out in the next over for 90 off 100, giving Carl Bust his first wicket.

It was left to the lower-middle order to maintain the momentum and Charlie Tippell and Olly Lewis chipped in with 13 and 12 respectively.

But both fell to Bust as did Todd Mathews for 11 to leave Hanley 263-8.

Tony Hutchings smashed a huge maximum before holing out, after Ed Platts was caught and bowled by Bust to give him five wickets.

Bust took some punishment, though, going for 74 off 14 overs. Hanley finished on a commanding 266 all out.

Halesowen’s reply got off to the worst possible start as Price bowled Ben Dunn.

Todd Matthews removed John Aston and had Luke Miley (42) caught by Chambers to leave Halesowen in danger of crumbling.

Rory Mathews then trapped Archie Reeves LBW and Chambers rearranged the stumps of Alex Farrar.

After drinks, Harry Tippell picked up his first of the season, bowling Matt Slater.

Todd Mathews took his fourth with the dismissal of Alex Jordan before completing his five-for after irresponsible batting from Bust left his stumps exposed. Tippell snared Tvaune Greenaway before Mathews had Talha Ikhlaq caught by Tippell to bowl Halesowen out for 137.

Hanley host Old Elizabethans on Saturday (1pm) as they aim to keep the pressure on the top two.