Beacon aim high from low

Beacon believe they can still achieve a top-four finish – despite languishing in eighth place.

Such is the open nature of the league, captain Craig Jones reckons his side can make inroads on the top half of the table.

Jones led the way at the weekend, as he hit 72 in partnership with Mike Dodunski. Beacon totalled 210-9 in their 96-run victory over Wednesbury, in a rain-reduced game of 46 overs.

Jason Swan took six wickets and Dodunski three as Wednesbury were all out for 114. Jones believes Beacon can still forge a major improvement this season.

He said: "I'm not saying we can win the league because we've got a few youngsters in the side and we're about to be hit by holidays again, which will leave us short of key bowlers and batters.

"But if we play the way we can, then there's no reason why we can't make the top four."

All-rounder Matty Tonks makes way for Worcestershire under-19s prospect Jamie Lunn for Saturday's clash at basement side Swindon.

Jones is warning his side against taking the game lightly.

He said: "The only time they've taken more points off anyone this season has been against us.

"We have just had good results against Springvale and Wednesbury but we can't be complacent.

"They bowled and batted better than us when we last played them. Maybe they are in a false position."

Milford Hall captain Darren Wesson has quit the club despite leading the team to the top of the Staffs Clubs Championship.

Neither the club nor Wesson would be drawn publicly on the reasons for his departure, with the ex-skipper now considering retiring from the game.

Chris Millward will step back into the lead role as the leaders concentrate their efforts on gaining promotion to the Birmingham League. Millward had captained the side for four years.

The change in leadership didn't affect Milford Hall's form at the weekend, as they cemented their nine-point lead with a winning draw against Old Wulfs and Tettenhall.

Old Wulfs were dismissed for 214 with Richard Marsh (80), Tim Nutting (32) and Steve Palmer (50) leading the way with the bat.

Dave Seville did his best to restrict them with an impressive spell that saw him return figures of 5-43. Fellow spinner Ronnie Hira claimed 3-70.

Chris Horner, with an unbeaten 30, and Hira (24) helped Milford claim the lion's share of the points, based on run rate in a rain-reduced game as they closed on 146-6.

Brewood are focusing on the title as they approach a key three weeks in their bid for glory.

Chris Guest's side survived a tense game with Bloxwich to win by six runs last weekend. They lie fifth within 13 points of top spot.

That has set them up for a treble-top challenge of playing three sides above them in successive weeks – Pelsall on Saturday, Milford Hall and Cannock & Rugeley.

He said: "If we get three wins I'm pretty sure we'll be top. We expect to be up there because there's a lot of belief within the players.

"I think the sooner we get there, the easier it will be to stay there but there are five teams who could be top.

"Teams will pick up points off each other but if we can take points off sides above us, then that will be even more to our advantage."

Overseas player Keir Bettley was the pick of Brewood's batting with 66, as they mustered a below-par 133 inside 42 overs.

Brewood then had Bloxwich staring down the barrel at 80-9 but a recovery by their tail saw them come within seven runs of victory with eight overs remaining.

Guest claimed a season best return of 6-42. Bettley picked up 2-44. Brewood make two changes against Pelsall.

The unavailable Ben Jevons will be replaced by in-form John Redrup, while Luke Bird drops down to the seconds with Mike Southall earning a recall.

Hammerwich fell one wicket short of victory against Penkridge but Ryan Sawade's batting heroics inspired his side to grab the bulk of the points.

Sawade hit a crucial 91 as Hammerwich posted 170 despite a five-wicket haul from Penkridge all-rounder Ian Brown.

Penkridge clung on with nine wickets down to claim a losing draw against Brian Fisher's side.

Captain Fisher said: "They bowled line and length and gave our batsmen the opportunity to get themselves out and our batsmen duly obliged.

"We gave regular wickets away and I honestly thought our score was about 60 runs short.

"But we bowled and fielded well, took our chances and got ourselves back on top.

"I was delighted to see the back of Rana Hussain because he was looking dangerous and from then on we kept taking wickets.

"It's fair to say neither team batted very well."

Mohammed Zubair claimed three wickets for Hammerwich but they had just two overs to bowl at Penkridge's last pair.

They were unable to take the final wicket.