LOSING the toss proved costly for both of Herefordshire's Birmingham League sides with Premier Division Brockhampton and Second Division Eastnor both suffering defeats.

Although Eastnor mustered only 78 at Whitchurch, that represented a considerable recovery after the villagers had slumped to 19-7.

"I have never seen us play and miss so much," said Eastnor spokesman Malcolm Hughes.

"It was a damp pitch and a bad toss to lose with the ball doing a bit all the time - even when we were 19-7, there were two streaky fours in that."

Zafran Ali (3-9) and Omar Ali (3-12) used the conditions to good advantage while a mix-up, which saw skipper Clive Chadhani and Tareq Jamil arrive at the same end, resulted in a run-out.

Shahid Ahmed, who made batting look easy despite the conditions, led the recovery with 30 but, with a wet ball to contend with after a shower, Eastnor's bowlers were unable to enjoy the same success as their hosts, who eased in by nine wickets.

Brockhampton made a reasonably solid start at Walsall with Adam Hewlett (15) and Chris Boroughs (19) guiding them to 42-1.

But a collapse set in which saw the Herefordshire side slip to 59-7.

Although Nick Powell (26) engineered a late rally, the visitors were all out for 107.

Callum Stewart (2-37) and Boroughs (3-40) worked through the early order as Walsall slumped to 33-4 but skipper David Powles (41) and Alex McChristie (30 not out) did enough to ensure Brockhampton's first defeat of the season.