Moeen gives Dartmouth hope

Moeen Ali strikes unbeaten 164

A stunning innings from Moeen Ali earned West Bromwich Dartmouth 24 points with a victory over Shifnal which may well prove to be pivotal as the relegation season in the Birmingham Midshires Birmingham & District Premier Division beckons.

The Worcestershire batsman, brother of Gloucestershire batsman Kadeer Ali and cousin of Kabir Ali, smashed an unbeaten 164 including ten sixes and 12 fours in a brutal assault on the Shifnal bowling attack as Dartmouth posted 227 for six.

James Ralph was caught off a no ball on four and went on to make 101 in Shifnal’s 221 for nine, with able assistance from 18 year-old Richard Murrall (47) with TP Sudhindra taking 4-65.

Barnt Green extended their lead at the top of the table to an imposing 31 points following a nail-biting two wicket victory over Wolverhampton.

Wolverhampton were helped to 197 for six by Eral Anderson (50) and Aaron O’Connor (47) and the Danescourt side will have sensed a famous victory when the Green slipped to 104 for six.

But a battling 42 from Nathan Newport and a determined 47 from Keiron Rees edged the table-toppers to a two wicket win with just one ball of the match remaining.

The game between Himley and Walsall was equally thrilling as the home side boosted their outside title chances with a one wicket victory thanks to a last wicket stand of 17 between Jon Smith and Stuart Wedge.

Walsall were indebted to Paul Baker’s 65 in their total of 198 for eight, before TP Singh boosted Himley’s hopes with 61, ably supported by Greg Wright (43). Andy Gray’s 5-73 almost turned the game in Walsall’s favour but the reigning Champions cannot afford to lose to Barnt Green next week if they are to retain their hopes of a hat-trick of title wins.

Moseley continue to flirt with danger losing by two wickets to Knowle & Dorridge, after Will Mottram (5-20) shot them out for 132.

Ali Awan hit 40 for Moseley but Travis Friend’s 50 steered K & D to a welcome win despite a burst of 5-39 from Calum MacLeod, bowling again after a niggling side injury.

Leamington Spa’s revival continued with a winning draw against a struggling Walmley side, who are now in real danger of being sucked into the relegation battle. With Leamington on 124 for six, after 38 overs, Walmley appeared to be on course for victory but a shambolic fielding effort helped Leamington to 253 for eight, by the close.

Tom Lewis (50), Michael Balac (47) and Faisal Irfan (34 not out) took advantage and Walmley never looked in with a shout of victory, despite a fluent 40 from Tariq Mohammed.

Luke Parker’s occasional seamers yielded 3-30 and Jack Hawkes chipped in with 2-20 as Walmley finished on 195 for six. In a mid-table battle, at Chester Road, Stephen Byng (79) and Jason Young (61) saw Kenilworth Wardens to 224 for six with Kidderminster Victoria’s Mark Mansell taking 4-64. In reply, Neil Pinner hit 64 as the Carpet Men finished lamely on 165 for six.