You're nicked: Pace ace on cloud nine

The 32-year-old policeman took an astonishing nine wickets - including the prized scalp of ex-South African international Mike Rindel for eight - in a mammoth 26-over spell.

The home side were dismissed for 141 to set up only Bromsgrove's second victory of the season in the Birmingham and District League First Division.

Husbands was delighted with collaring nine Smethwick batsmen but he was more pleased with the victory.

He told the Advertiser/Messenger: "My bowling figures were meaningless until we won the game.

"After we got the result, it started to sink in.

"I bowled really well to start with and the the wicket of Rindel was a massive boost for the team.

"It was just one of those days when things went right.

"What was more important was the result because we desperately need the points."

Skipper Paul Duffy won the toss and elected to bowl on what looked to be a superb batting track but Husbands and Nick Davies extracted life and movement early on.

Husbands struck three early blows including a fantastic one-handed caught and bowled.

Only Foster (56) of the top order batsmen stood firm during the pace blitz.

At 104 for nine, Smethwick looked down and out but a 37-run partnership between Khalid (21) and Khan (13 not out) took them to 141 all out.

Husbands snared the last wicket in his 27th over to return 9-73.

The other wicket taker was spinner Kish Patel who bowled 17 overs for just 36 runs in a disciplined spell.

Openers Jamie Campbell (12) and Nick Davies (20) steadied the early nerves and Duffy (67 not out) and Simon Keyte (25 not out) saw Town home in the 33rd over.

Duffy played some elegant attacking strokes and Keyte looked very assured.

The win should give Bromsgrove a confidence boost as they enter the final phase of the season.

With five games to go they are in the thick of the relegation battle but still have to play most of their fellow strugglers.