Rob Foster, the Shrewsbury captain, admitted his side could have no complaints after they tasted defeat for the first time this season in the Birmingham Cricket League's premier division.

After opening the campaign with victories over champions West Bromwich Dartmouth and Brockhampton, Shrewsbury endured a much tougher afternoon as they were well beaten by eight wickets at an Ombersley side winning for the first time since gaining promotion.

Foster now wants the county towners to respond in the right way when they welcome Berkswell to London Road on Saturday.

"We were very poor for large parts of the game," said Foster. "After the two openers batted well, we didn't apply ourselves in the right manner.

"Yes, it was a difficult pitch, but we should have done better and we weren't switched on enough."

Shrewsbury, invited to bat, suffered an alarming collapse as they fell away from a promising 71-0 to be dismissed for 143 in 48 overs.

There was no sign of what was to follow when openers Steve Leach (47) and Ed Foster (33) - on his first league appearance of the season after recovering from a broken thumb - safely negotiated the early stages.

But Dan Manders, who hit an unbeaten 21 at No 7, was the only other visiting batsman to reach double figures as Ombersley's Arti Fiaz claimed 3-28.

Mike Barnard, who bowled eight tight overs for 1-12, was then the only Shrewsbury bowler to do himself justice as Ombersley cruise to 144-2.

Indian pro Uday Kaul, who plays for Punjab, ended unbeaten on 45 while Worcestershire's Brett D'Oliveira saw the job through as he closed on 144-2 inside 38 overs.

Foster's mood was not helped by himself spilling a catch which would have got rid of overseas man Kaul before he really got going.

"It was a tough chance but one I would expect to take," he added. "I would expect to take it nine times out of 10."

There was much better news for SHREWSBURY II as they chased well to beat early reserve division one leaders Tamworth II by three wickets at London Road.

Richard Williams claimed 4-32 as Tamworth notched 229-8 before Shrewsbury hit back with 233-7, getting home with two overs to spare.

Young Australian Jehan Bilimoria led the way with an unbeaten 87 and opener Liam Brown was also in good touch for 60.

Shrewsbury's 2nd XI head to Halesowen II on Saturday.