BROCKHAMPTON went down to a narrow five-run loss to early Birmingham & District Premier Cricket League Division One pace-setters Bridgnorth.

Jamie McIlroy removed former Herefordshire County Cricket Club captain David Exall with the very first ball to leave Bridgnorth reeling at 0-1 before Simon Gregory also went cheaply. But Ian Gregory and James Ralph steadied the ship before Ralph was dismissed.

Incoming batsman Daniel Vernon then put on a fantastic partnership with Gregory to add crucial runs.

Brockhampton did manage to remove the pair in quick succession, before further wickets fell.

Bridgnorth were eventually bowled out for 214.

In reply, Ryan Tongue went for just two runs, but Adam Hewlett and Joe Crichard managed to keep the score down.

Like Bridgnorth, Brockhampton added useful runs in the middle order, with Nicholas Powell top scoring with 59.

But Vernon snapped up the wicket of Callum Stewart to bowl Brockhampton out for 209 with just two balls remaining.

Atiq Ur Rehman hit a sparkling 108 off 109 balls as Eastnor beat Astwood Bank by 33 runs to go third in Division Three.

Eastnor posted 285-9 off their 50 overs, with Mahaaz Ahmed also hitting 66.

Astwood Bank could only muster 252-9 in reply; Ur Rehman and Faisal Khalid both snapping up two wickets.