BROCKHAMPTON opener Adam Hewlett remains optimistic that his side can recover from their disappointing start to their Birmingham League Division One programme.

The villagers have lost four of their five opening matches, while the other was rained off, with the latest reverse coming in a three-wicket loss to promotion-chasing Tamworth at the Parks on Saturday.

"We are just one win from getting out of the bottom two," said Hewlett, whose own form with bat and ball has been one of the bright spots in a difficult early season.

"And it seems that we will have (Worcestershire opening bat) Daryl Mitchell available for our next three games.

"As well as his batting ability, he will probably bowl 17 overs for us, too, so it's almost like having two new players in the side."

Brockhampton have also strengthened their batting line-up with the arrival of Tom Cummins, son of former Hereford Cathedral School head of sport Damian Cummins, who made a useful debut in scoring 36 against Tamworth.

"He looks a really good player," said Hewlett.

After being put in to bat on Saturday, Brockhampton reached 71 before the second wicket fell with the majority of those runs going to Hewlett who batted aggressively in racing to 44 from just 33 balls with eight boundaries.

Cummins, going in at number four, was in a similar shot-making mood with three sixes and a four in his debut innings.

Wickets continued to fall, however, although skipper Nick Powell (33 not out) and Chris Powell (23) shared a seventh-wicket stand of 46 to boost the total to a competitive 189-8 from their 38 overs in a shortened match.

The Tamworth reply got off to a rapid start despite an excellent stint from Herefordshire opening bowler Jamie McIlroy, who conceded just 18 runs from 12 overs.

"Jamie bowled unbelievably well and kept us in with a shout," admitted Hewlett.

Unfortunately, England under-19 batsman Liam Banks took a liking to the attack at the other end, particularly against the seam bowling of Henry Langford, who was pressed into service to open the attack and saw his four overs disappear for 41 runs.

Banks lashed four sixes and nine fours as he raced to 73 from 48 balls before Hewlett (3-60) bowled him with the score at 111.

Banks' opening partner Josh Rudge (33) also fell to Hewlett but Jacob Flower (36) and Stuart Burrows progressed the score to 175 before the third wicket fell.

With Dominic Badger (2-36) also picking up a couple of wickets, Brockhampton almost got back into the game but the visitors were able to sneak over the line with two overs and three wickets in hand.