BROCKHAMPTON couldn't capitalise on an excellent start as they fell to a 97-run defeat to Shrewsbury which leaves them just above the relegation zone in Birmingham & District League Premier Division.

The villagers had Shrewsbury reeling at 2-3, but an excellent unbeaten century from Ed Foster proved key to Shrewsbury's win.

Jamie McIlroy had a blistering start for Brockhampton, snapping up three early wickets.

First, Will Parton went for a duck following a catch from wicketkeeper Ian Bullock before Oliver Westbury went the same way.

Herefordshire player Ben Stebbings then went for a duck as McIlroy claimed another wicket.

However, Foster and Tim Ward then put on a fine stand of 106 as Shrewsbury upped their game.

Ward was stumped when on 59, with Dominic Badger taking the wicket.

Badger then removed Rob Foster, which left Shrewsbury on 193-6.

And when Matthew Swift was next to go, it looked like Brockhampton were back in the game,.

However, Bradley Thornton and Ed Foster took the game away from the hosts, with Foster finishing unbeaten on 114 and Thornton 35.

In reply, Brockhampton made a decent start, with Adam Hewlett making more than a run a ball before he went for 33.

The home side then lost two quick wickets when Henry Langford and Joe Crichard departed to leave them on 78-3.

Overseas star Dinusha Fernando was next to go and when Ian Bullock went, Brockhampton were 98-5.

Tom Austwick had only made two off 13 balls before he departed, with captain Nick Powell the next wicket to fall.

Ashley Bullock did make a resilient 31 not out off 83 balls, but he was unable to put on a decent partnership with any of his teammates and Brockhampton were eventually bowled out for 170.