Henry Cullen's brilliant hundred was unable to prevent Kenilworth Wardens slipping to a 48-run Birmingham Premier League Division Two defeat at Halesowen.

The Worcestershire wicket-keeper, who made 105, added 144 with the in-form Harry Johnson (81) for the visitors' fourth wicket.

But despite these middle-order heroics, four wickets for Peter Scott plus three apiece for James Rudge and Eddie Rhodes saw Wardens ultimately fall some distance short of Halesowen's 307.

The hosts had earlier recovered from 22 for two through Luke Tulacz's fluent 93 plus half-centuries from skipper Alexei Kervezee and wicket-keeper Wes Griffiths.

With two rounds of action remaining, this result enhances table-topping Halesowen's promotion prospects, while Wardens remain at the head of the chasing pack thanks to their haul of seven bonus points.

Next week's trip to fourth-placed Barnards Green has now taken on a make-or-break look for both clubs, while Wem and Himley both still also retain promotion hopes.

After Amun Bal and Andy Leering picked up an early wicket apiece, Tulacz went on to share in two productive partnerships.

Opener Jamie Harris (31) initially helped him add 59 for the home side's third wicket before former Holland and Worcestershire all-rounder Kervezee made 59 of their 105-run fourth wicket alliance.

This cleared the stage for Griffiths to contribute an even-time 54, and when Tulacz eventually fell to the returning Bal he had struck 13 boundaries in an excellent 107-ball knock.

Seamers Bal (2-49) and Leering (3-68) were the pick of a visiting attack that conceded 21 wides.

This left Wardens chasing a sizeable 307 and like their hosts they also lost early wickets.

But when Cullen was joined by Johnson the youthful pair put the home bowlers under considerable pressure.

The visiting keeper found the boundary seven times and cleared it on a further five in his thrilling 104-ball 105 while Johnson's 81 occupied only 70 balls.

But scoreboard pressure eventually told, and when Wardens lost their last seven wickets for 60 runs Halesowen had completed a seasonal double over their nearest rivals and strengthened their grip on promotion.