Walsall's seven-wicket at Leamington
Andy Gray took the honours as title holders Walsall flexed their championship muscles with a seven-wicket victory against basement side Leamington Spa.
Andy Gray took the honours as title holders Walsall flexed their championship muscles with a seven-wicket victory against basement side Leamington Spa.
The former Yorkshire and Derbyshire off-spinner took 5-17 as the Gorway side climbed to within nine points of leaders Barnt Green.
Leamington fell from 55-0 to 95 all out as Gray enjoyed one of his best spells of the summer with the ball.
Paul Baker hit 39 as Walsall clinched victory to increase their chances of a historic third successive title.
Walsall were kept off the top after Barnt Green left it to the penultimate ball to clinch a six-wicket win over Shifnal.
Himley continued their resurgence with a one-wicket win against Walmley in arguably the match of the day.
Tim Heap was one of the heroes, claiming 5-57 in a 24-over spell as the visitors were dismissed for 137.
Victory didn't come easy, with overseas ace TP Singh (81) standing firm as Lionel Baker (5-57) and Greg Ricketts (4-57) ripped through the Himley order.
Once Singh was out, it still required final pair Heap and Chris Whelan to guide Himley home.
West Bromwich Dartmouth remain in the bottom two after crashing to an eight-wicket defeat against Knowle and Dorridge.
No one scored more than opener Moeen Ali's 23 as Dartmouth were dismissed for 130 inside 50 overs.
Wolverhampton's title chances continued to fade as their clash at Kidderminster Victoria was washed out.
In the first division, Old Hill stay top despite a losing draw against Shrewsbury, clinging on with 80-8 in response to Shrewsbury's 209 in a rain affected clash.
Staffordshire veteran Dave Womble took four wickets but it wasn't enough to stop Cannock falling to an eight-run defeat against Attock.
Womble's tally of 4-36 helped the Four Crosses side to dismiss the hosts for a gettable 115.
They will be highly disappointed with their reply, in which extras were the top scorer with 24.
Penn dropped to third in the second division after a two-wicket defeat to Berkswell.
The Mount Road side, who are now 16 points off the top, were all out for 149 and Berkswell passed the winning total inside 43 overs.
Wombourne are 40 points clear at the top of the third division after an seven-run victory over Olton and West Warwick.
