A RARE win of the toss enabled Bromsgrove CC's Seconds to field and put the onus on Lichfield to set a challenging target.

The Boars opened the attack with the reliable Paul Husbands and up and coming seamer Mike Thurbon, making his Second team bowling debut.

Lichfield struggled to achieve any momentum as Thurbon regularly beat the bat.

The guile of Husbands finally got the breakthrough when he bowled Spencer with the score on 35.

A threatening stand of 46 looked to be creating a solid platform as Mark Bilborough continued where Thurbon left off.

With overs running out, Lichfield were forced to take chances. Husbands again got the breakthrough, having Astley well caught by Richard Hope for 39.

The loss of Oldfield (28) signalled the end of real resistance. Only a defiant 31 from Filer allowed the visitors to amass 163 for nine at tea.

Husbands finished with 6-74 from 25 overs. Ian Walker made a late impact to claim 3-44.

Bromsgrove's response started rapidly. David Keyte enjoyed the bouncy wicket, cutting and pulling to good effect as partner Bilborough (26) timed his trademark extra cover drives to perfection.

The first wicket fell for 52 and the introduction of Filer brought immediate reward with the wickets of Keyte (38) and Mike Bennison (16) in successive overs.

At 82 for three, Grove still had a lot of work to do.

Tom Hope (38 not out) took his time and, in partnership with Dan Keyte (40 not out), steered the ship home with nine overs to spare.

Keyte unleashed some powerful strokes to the boundary and a Hope extra cover drive was the game's champagne moment.

This Saturday sees the Boars return to St Godwald's Park for the visit of Shifnal.