HALESOWEN got their league campaign off to a perfect start with a comprehensive victory over Coventry and North Warwickshire.

Having dodged tricky weather which caused a number of neighbouring fixtures to be postponed, they put in a sterling all-around performance to earn their first win of 2016.

After falling at the first hurdle in the ECB National Knockout Cup last weekend, skipper Richard Brooker was delighted with a confidence-boosting triumph at Seth Somers Park.

Brooker said: “It was much more like us this weekend and despite some changes in personnel from last season we played like we did in the back half of 2015 when we went unbeaten.

“We needed to start the campaign well and this is just what we were looking for.”

A strong bowling effort saw Halesowen restrict the visitors to a below-par 174-8, with tight bowling from youngsters Alex Bullingham (2-26) and Masharaf Shazad (1-29) backed up by Brooker (2-29) and Hassan Quami (2-39).

Weather interruptions gave Halesowen a reduced target of 132, and with Ed Kilbee (74*) and Mark Fisher (34) putting on 98 for the first wicket they cruised to victory by nine wickets in the 24th over.

Meanwhile, the second XI saw their game abandoned due to rain after West Bromwich and Dartmouth had totted up 240-6 in 45 overs.

The third XI were also endured a frustrating afternoon with their game against Astwood Bank washed out after they had reduced their opponents to 127-7.

However, the fourth XI picked up an excellent eight-wicket win as spinner Charlie Greening (5-15) ripped through Astwood Bank before Hayden Evans (31) helped them knock off the runs in fine style.

This Saturday will see the first XI away at Harborne (12noon), the seconds at home to Harborne (12,30pm), the thirds a Alveley (1pm) and the fourths at home to Barnards Green (1pm).