MARTLEY’S early-season promise evaporated with a fourth straight Worcestershire League Division Three defeat, this time to rock-bottom Himley by 27 runs.

They dominated the first 40 overs with Mark Johnson's 2-9 from a miserly 10 overs and Pete Gardner's two scalps, all caught behind by Dom Jones, leaving Himley on 34-4.

Tom Wall (64 not out) and Dan Newman (46) dug in as Jim Basford (0-27) and Tom Vale (1-41) bowled tidy spells.

At 146 in the 37th over things were under control but 50 wides helped Himley reach 234-7.

Martley slumped to 23-3 before Alex Basford (33) and Dan Mayfield (35) steadied the ship with a partnership of 36.

Mayfield and John McGahan (17) added 46 runs for the sixth wicket.

Martley stuttered to 153-9 before a solid last-wicket stand of 54 between Johnson (43) and Jim Basford (12 not out) had Himley worried but the former was bowled on 207.

The seconds enjoyed their fourth Division Four win in a row.

Steady bowling from their young attack restricted Himley to 186 all out with opener Dan Holmes making 73.

Veteran Tej Uppal took 4-21 and James Francis 2-16 with a wicket each for Will Dunks, Jai Wickham and Ben Court.

Darryl Lymer and Rob Ganderton set Martley on the victory trail.

Lymer hit nine fours and a six in his 62 with Ganderton striking eight fours to be on 53no when Martley cruised home by seven wickets on 190-3.