Pelsall beat Bloxwich for second win
Pre-season title favourites Pelsall claimed only their second win of the campaign after beating fellow strugglers Bloxwich by four wickets.
Pre-season title favourites Pelsall claimed only their second win of the campaign after beating fellow strugglers Bloxwich by four wickets.
The match appeared to be heading for a very different outcome when Bloxwich moved to 60 without loss, but four wickets from Jamie Holmes and three from Baines Ridgeway saw them bowled out for 151.
Pelsall started sluggishly at the crease, losing three early wickets as they slipped to 18-3, but a commanding sixth-wicket partnership from Andy Clarke (35) and Richard Cooper (70 not out) proved the difference.
"We needed that win, it was obviously quite a big one for us," skipper Paul Grainger admitted after they climbed two places into seventh. "They started well and put us under pressure, it could have gone either way."
But Grainger admitted he has little idea what lies in store for his side ahead of this weekend's clash against leaders Springvale, admitting that "we do not know anything about them at all. They have done really well and have taken the league by storm."
Adnan Haroon starred with bat and ball as Springvale moved to the top of the table with a five-wicket victory over Swindon. It was team-mate Anwar Shamin who set them on their way, taking the opening three wickets despite an injury on the way to 3-34 off eight overs.
But Haroon stole the show with a five-wicket haul for the second straight week, claiming 6-40 in 13 overs as Swindon were dismissed for 162. Teenager Gerard Smit top scored for the hosts with 81.
Haroon then played a pivotal role at the crease with his third-wicket partnership with Dave Bennett (106) making major inroads into the target before Springvale reached 163-5.
Captain Tom Chew was delighted to claim victory over their fellow promoted rivals but insists the next three games against Pelsall, Penkridge, Milford Hall will provide a real test of their title credentials.
"At the start of the season this was one of the games we looked out for," said Chew. "We knew we would have to beat the sides around us. We have three big games coming up that will really test us. They will show how far we have come as a team. After those three games we will have a true indication of where we are."
Springvale will be boosted for the weekend by the return of Matt Bennett from university.
Australian Tim Evans continued his flying start to life at Wednesbury as his 4-44 inspired them to a 74-run win over Hammerwich. The Aussie seamer was the star turn as Hammerwich were dismissed for 125 replying to Wednesbury's 199. He received impressive support from Bal Matharu (3-13) and spinner Neil Wyborn (3-35).
The bowlers fired their side to victory after Wednesbury fell just short of 200 with the bat with Pindi Matharu top scoring with 66 and captain Craig Cartwright weighing in with 56. Cartwright believes winter signing Evans is already proving his value to the club.
He said: "Tim is doing very well as a seam bowler. He is the leading wicket-taker at the club with 15 wickets and is looking like a good asset for us."
