Spa move out of danger

After two turbulent weeks when the rub of the green lay firmly with their opponents Leamington Spa bounced back to defeat title contenders Wolverhampton by five wickets in the Birmingham Midshires Birmingham and District Premier League.

Dismissing Wolverhampton for 124, they picked up 24 points when Oxfordshire’s Rob Williams made an unbeaten 46 to steer them to 128 for five and move them out of the relegation zone for the first time this season. They moved above West Bromwich Dartmouth and Shifnal, whose recent slump shows few signs of ending.

Keith Bell compiled an undefeated 103 to guide Moseley to 202 for five which proved too much for the Shropshire side even though they were fielding five current Minor County players. They crashed to 122 all out and plunged into the danger zone.

Dartmouth’s lack of runs was apparent again at Gorway, as they slid to 137 all out with Walsall skipper Paul Wicker finishing with 5-24. Chris Tranter smashed 75 as Walsall reached their target with five wickets in tact in just 28 overs.

The result keeps them in second place although they slipped a further four points behind Barnt Green, who beat Kenilworth Wardens by an emphatic 88 runs in a match reduced to 42 overs a side.

Nathan Newport (48) and Richard Hall (44) led the way for the Green who posted a total of 177 for eight. Dougie Brown chipped in with 39, an innings that included three sixes and three fours, while Shitansu Kotak took 4-53 for Wardens.

This was the only highlight for the visitors who crashed to 89 all out in the 41st over, Worcestershire’s Gareth Andrew taking 4-15, on his League debut and Mehraj Ahmed taking three wickets in his sixth over to finish with 3-24.

Knowle & Dorridge’s title challenge looks like fading yet again, as they were dismissed for a paltry 74, by Himley, Tim Heap taking 6-23 and Herefordshire’s Stuart Wedge capturing 4-47. Dan Bassett’s 21 was the highest score of the match as Himley cantered to a six wicket victory, a result that takes them up to fourth place.

Next week they meet Walsall in a match that may have a major bearing on the title. Walmley’s Chris Booth hit 95 as his side amassed 247 for nine, against Kidderminster Victoria in 54 overs, but in a rain reduced reply, Vics took a winning draw finishing on 195 for seven, in 42 overs with skipper Jonathan Wright leading the way with 86.

Paul Griffiths took 4-53 for Walmley who have slipped to tenth place, dangerously close to the relegation zone.