BROCKHAMPTON have moved level at the top of the Birmingham League Premier Division with an important win over reigning champions Shrewsbury.

The villagers battled with their Shropshire rivals for most of last season before Shrewsbury pulled away to take the title.

But now, with two wins from their opening two matches, Brockhampton will be aiming to go one better than last season's runner-sup spot.

After inviting Shrewsbury to bat first, Brockhampton picked up wickets regularly with Jamie McIlroy (3-26), Callum Stewart (3-45), Nick Powell (2-29) and Adam Hewlett (2-30) all rewarded as the visitors were dismissed for 196.

In reply, Brockhampton made a solid start through Adam Hewlett (27) and Henry Langford (26).

But the star of the show was skipper Ben Stebbings whose superb unbeaten 91 guided his side home.

"Ben Stebbings was out of this world," said Brockhampton chairman Roy Wargen. " He paced it so well."

Stebbings had to overcome a collapse which saw the villagers subside to 127-7 before Australian Brody Koelewyn (11 not out) joined him in an unbeaten stand of 70 for the eighth wicket to steer them home.