Barnt Green gain ground

Wolverhampton's challenge for the Birmingham Midshires Birmingham & District Premier Cricket League suffered a setback that could prove crucial when their match at Kidderminster Victoria was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Barnt Green and 2007 champions Walsall strengthened their positions at the top of the Premier Division table with away victories against struggling sides who are positioned near the foot of the table while Wolverhampton lie in third place trailing the leaders by 21 points.

Barnt Green came away from Shifnal with a five wicket success after restricting the home side to 170 for nine in an innings reduced to 52 overs following a late start due to rain.

Brian Jones hit 53 and James Ralph contributed 47, while Phillip Mann’s 4-45 earned the Man of the Match Award. In reply, Barnt Green completed their victory with two balls to spare, after their innings was reduced to 46 overs, following a further interruption. Richard Hall (59) and Nathan Newport (57) compiled half-centuries to open up a nine point lead at the top.

Walsall move up to second place, after an easy seven wicket win at Leamington Spa, who collapsed from 55 without loss to 95 all out, as off-spinner, Andy Gray took 5 for 17.

Knowle & Dorridge remain in the title race after a comprehensive eight wicket win at West Bromwich Dartmouth, who remain in the relegation zone with Leamington Spa, after they were dismissed for 130. Sam Reddish took the Man of the Match Award, striking 64 in the K & D response.

The match between Himley and Walmley was the closest of the day, finishing in a one wicket success for the home side. Chris Howell made 50 not out, in Walmley’s 137 for nine but the innings was dominated by Tim Heap (5-57) and TP Singh (4-45) who ensured he won the Man of the Match Award with a searing 81 in Himley’s reply.

After he was dismissed, it needed an unbroken last wicket stand of 14 between Heap and Chris Whelan to guide Himley home, despite the heroics of Lionel Baker (5-57) and Greg Ricketts (4-57).

Kenilworth Wardens spinners Shitansu Kotak (5-16) and Anthony Wilkinson (4-31) combined spectacularly to dismiss Moseley for 111 in an innings reduced to 37 overs but Ashfak Hussein’s 6-26, almost pulled off an unlikely victory for Moseley as Wardens finished on 90 for nine, taking a winning draw, courtesy of a faster run rate.