WORCESTER Nomads have been relegated back to the Worcestershire League after just one season in Birmingham League Division Three.

The Bransford side were beaten by 48 runs against Aston Manor at Whitegates Farm after losing their last five wickets for just four runs.

After being put in by the hosts, Manor reached 160-2 before collapsing to 223-8 at the end of their 50 overs with Patrick O’Driscoll taking 4-61 and Richard Henry 2-49.

Nomads meandered to 14-2 after 11 overs at the start of their reply before Liam O’Driscoll was run out by a direct hit from Nabeel Asghar with the total on 27.

Olly Swift (34) and Henry (23) staged a recovery but, when they were out in quick succession to Amardeep Sonkar, the total stood on 85-5. Tom Mills (50) and Sam Roberts (37) took the score to 171-5 but, with victory in sight, Nomads capitulated to 175 all out.

Nomads join already-relegated Evesham, who lost by nine wickets to Milford Hall, in returning to the Worcestershire League.

In the Premier Division, Brockhampton’s hopes of keeping the pressure up on Premier Division leaders Shrewsbury were dashed with a 121-run defeat at Barnt Green.

With Tom Burton (99), Jack Williams (48), Matt Lamb (42) and Ed Pollock (33) in good form, Barnt Green eased to 271-8 with Charlie Griffiths taking 4-42 and Chris Boroughs 3-39 before Barnt Green skipper Andy Sutton took 4-50 to see the Herefordshire side off.

Although they remain second, Shrewsbury will win the title for the second time in four seasons if they defeat 2012 champions Walsall. Meanwhile, Kidderminster Victoria’s recent slump in form continued with a dispiriting seven-wicket defeat to mid-table Himley.

Zac Turley scored 65 but 4-38 from Himley skipper Greg Wright and 3-19 for Jamie Turner helped to dismiss Kidderminster for 175 before 73 from Worcestershire’s Tom Kohler-Cadmore and 38 from Wright eased Himley over the line.

In Division One, Barnards Green continued their surge for a top four place with a nine-wicket demolition of Brewood, the side they have accompanied to successive promotions in the past two seasons.

It seems unlikely that they will be playing each other next year as Brewood remain rock-bottom, 45 points from safety and they were no match for Barnards Green.

Blair Kingsland (3-13) and Andy Ford (3-18) did the initial damage which was carried on by Alex Hepburn (45 not out) and Mark Hooper (36no).

Ombersley moved level with Old Hill, 25 points clear of danger, after a convincing 95-run victory over Shifnal, who folded to 151 all out in response to 246-8.

Liam Gwynne hit a splendid 122 and Ollie Steele scored 46 for Ombersley, with Richard Murrall (4-44) and Jonty Mountford (3-59), taking the bulk of the wickets for the visitors.

Bromsgrove defeated Moseley by 86 runs after Ash Newdick smashed 133 and Joe Dodd made 55 in an exciting opening partnership of 145 en route to a total of 317 all out.

Old Elizabethans lost to Harborne by 30 runs in Division Two and Eastnor lost to leaders Oswestry by four wickets.