Kenilworth Wardens' unbeaten start to the Birmingham Premier League Division Two season was ended by Halesowen who left Glasshouse Park with an emphatic eight-wicket victory.

A typically powerful half-century from Nick Seagar briefly threatened to drag Wardens back into the game after the pacy Eddie Rhodes claimed two early scalps.

But the home side then folded to 177 all out against Harry Kitchen who claimed 5-49 from 16.5 overs of accurate left-arm spin.

And led by unbeaten half-centuries from Harry Baddams and Luke Tulacz, table-topping Halesowen proceeded to cruise to their target with more than 20 overs remaining.

Disappointed home captain Harry Johnson acknowledged the result was a fair reflection of the contest.

"We can't have too many complaints as we were beaten by a much better side on the day," he said.

"Halesowen were definitely the best team we have faced so far this season – they looked strong in all departments.

"Seags batted well and after losing two early wickets we were well placed at 120 for three after seeing off the new ball.

"But we then batted really badly against their spinners and gifted them wickets through some poor shots.

"Tommy Rex bowled well again but it was a good pitch and without George Scrimshaw, Ali Zaryab or Josh Baker we were a bit short of bowling options."

Johnson looked to have won a useful toss on a firm pitch under a cloudless sky only for Rhodes' opening burst to reduce his team to three for two.

Seagar battled hard against the new ball before switching to his usual more aggressive approach and striking four sixes.

With useful support from Johnson (39) and Henry Cullen the home side were soon very much in the game at 122 for three.

But this all changed when Halesowen skipper Alexei Kervezee introduced Kitchen to the attack alongside his own off-spin.

The pair's seven wickets included the scalp of Seagar – who finished with an 80-ball 65 – as Tom Mordey's late defiance was unable to prevent Wardens crashing to 177 all out with 29 balls of their 55-over allocation unused.

Home hopes were briefly lifted by Rex's early dismissal of Matthew Payne only for his opening partner Jamie Harrison's aggressive 38-ball 46 to quickly regain the initiative.

And thereafter it was all Halesowen as Baddams and Tulacz built a controlled match-clinching 100-run third wicket partnership.

Left-handed Baddams found the boundary nine times in his 112-ball unbeaten 71 while his partner finished on 50.

"We now face Barnards Green and Harborne over the next couple of weeks when we hope to have stronger availability," Johnson added.

"It's a shame that our unbeaten run has ended but there is still plenty of confidence in the camp and loads of cricket to play."