BROMSGROVE Cricket Club First XI endured mixed fortunes against two promotion-chasing sides at St Godwald's Park last weekend.

Nick Husbands' side recorded a much-needed two-wicket victory over Harborne on Saturday but went down by 124 runs to Water Orton on Monday.

The Boars, with five wins to their name this season, sit eighth in Birmingham and District division one although they are only 30 points behind third place Water Orton.

Promotion hunting Water Orton batted first on Monday and smashed 282-7 declared from 53 overs.

Bromsgrove's reply was hampered from the start when Nick Davies and Simon Keyte went early. Paul Duffy (32) and Julian Court (12) tried to repair the damage but found the powerful bowling attack too hot to handle. The Boars were bowled out for 158.

Kish Patel was the star of the show last Saturday with some tight bowling followed by an excellent 62.

Nick Davies and Jon Farrow grabbed early wickets. Farrow bowled with great pace but a magnificent slower ball took the wicket of Australian danger man Lloyd, reducing the visitors to 40-3.

Ross Liddell took two crucial wickets before Husbands snapped up Cockcroft (36) to leave the score at 92-6.

Patel's introduction saw the runs grind to a halt as he reeled off six consecutive maidens. Husbands returned to wipe out the tail to finish with 5-39, taking his 50th league wicket of the season in the process.

Harborne posted 176 but were crucially bowled out in just 46 overs, giving the Boars 63 overs for victory.

Keyte (8) went early and Jamie Campbell (7) and Davies put on 35. Davies and Julian Court (11) took the score to 73 but Davies' (44) dismissal sparked a collapse.

The Boars slipped to 103-7 but Patel and Farrow cautiously kept the score ticking along. Patel passed 50 and went on to score a magnificent 62.

With just six runs needed, Tom Hill pushed the ball for four in a nail biting victory finish.