Kington suffered two home defeats in Division 2 (West) of the Birmingham and District Premier League over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Firstly, the Herefordshire club crashed to a seven-wicket reverse against visiting Redditch after being inserted in tricky conditions.

An 89-run second-wicket stand between Simon Fletcher (47) and Dave Exall (24) looked to have given Kington a solid base on which to build.

However, they slumped from a promising 90-1 to 161 all out against accurate bowling from J Losvitch (5-43) and N Mason (3-39).

Although Owen Price made 15, West Indian Dwayne Smith, 13, and Andy Price, 11, the Herefordshire club fell short of the total which they hoped to post.

In reply, Redditch reached their target in 45 overs despite a decent stint from Smith (2-24).

B Davis (56 not out) and M Busfield (21 not out) swept Redditch home with an unbroken fourth-wicket stand after C Gibson (31) and D Protheroe (26) made important contributions early on.

Shifnal beat Kington by four wickets on Monday in a tight match reduced to 34 overs per side because of rain.

Ed Symonds (43), Clive Scott (29) and Smith (25) were the main run-getters in Kington's 116-9, with Australian S Maraun (4-47) the pick of the visitors' bowling attack.

J Prince (54) and K Lewis (23) led Shifnal's victory charge and the visitors won with an over to spare.

Kington's Smith continued to shine with the ball, claiming 4-29, including the scalp of Shifnal skipper Chris Dirkin, the Herefordshire cricket development officer, for five.

l Kington 2nd secured two winning draws in their matches over the holiday period.

Ed Price (51), Wayne Morgan (36) and Sam Williams (36) were the mainstays of Kington's 224-9 at Redditch and then Chris Powell (4-56) and Graham Priday (3-39) were chiefly responsible in restricting the home club to 161-9.

Priday (4-57) also struck form in an exciting low-scoring match at Wellington on Monday.

Kington posted 137 in a rain-affected game and then limited the Shropshire outfit to 134-8.