Horspath Hammers slipped to their second defeat of the British Premier League season, going down 91-88 at Birmingham – and were knocked off the top of the table in the process.

Just like their previous defeat at Sheffield, they found a strong line up too much without their top Pole Marcin Skowronek.

In an entertaining fixture, the scores were tied after heat seven.

However, 6-4 and 7-3 victories put the home side five points up at the halfway stage.

Hammers rallied with a Steve Harris/Mark Carmichael 7-3, but a couple more 6-4 reverses, one particularly unlucky as Dave Carmichael fell while leading, sealed their fate.

Despite Harris and Mark Boaler managing a 7-3 victory in the final heat, Hammers fell short and were knocked off the top for the first time.

HORSPATH SCORERS

W Clarke 1, M Boaler 11+1, D Carmichael 10+1, M Szymczak 14, S Harris 15+1, M Carmichael 15+1, M Morgans 16+1, W Hutt 6+1.

Horspath’s Combination team went down to 78-52 deafeat against a much more experienced Birmingham side.

Good showings from both Joe Wyatt and Wayne Clarke proved in vain.

HORSPATH SCORERS W Clarke 10, L Clarke 7+1, J Wyatt 15, R Edge 5+1, M Coulter 9+1, J Smith 6.

Horspath Hammers came fourth in the British Veteran team final.

After qualifying from the second semi-final, they were never in the hunt for glory in the final.

HORSPATH SCORERS Semi-final: East London 49, Horspath 48 (S Harris 16, M Janes 11, M Glover 11, R Carter 10), Sandwell 44, Great Blakenham 42, Ipswich 8.

Final: Filton 53, Wednesfield 42, East London 33, Horspath 30 (S Harris 15, M Janes 6, M Glover 5, R Carter 4).

The British junior and youth team look to secure second spot in the South West region in Bristol today.

Tomorrow, Horspath face a trip to Poole in the South West Combination.