Beacon title favourites admits Blews

Blews' team were dismissed for 96 as they chased Beacon's 224-7 on Saturday and the defeated skipper says their victors can win the league.

He said: "They have got a good unit and I'll be surprised if anything disastrous happens. They are favourites and if they keep playing like they are they will win it."

Mike Dodunski top-scored for Beacon, ahead of their trip Old Wulfs on Saturday, with 83.

Daniel Archer hit 29 as Blews' side, who go to Hammerwich at the weekend, were undermined by a four-wicket burst from Jason Swan.

Bloxwich skipper Matt Langston blamed a lack of pressure on the Old Wulfrunian's batsmen, as the reason his side had to settle for a winning draw.

Langston was upset with his bowlers who, he says, failed to test the visiting batsmen enough.

James Lewis claimed 3-23, Maroof Azam 1-31 and Iqbal Masood 1-27 but Langston was not satisfied.

He said: "We couldn't get any consistency, there were too many four balls and there was a lack of pressure on the batsmen. It was too easy for them to score.

"It was probably the poorest we've bowled all season. I'm disappointed because we batted quite well but didn't bowl well, it was pretty average."

Masood struck 42 while Danny King with 30 and Shiraz Tahir with 34 also threatened with the bat as Bloxwich posted 204-8.

Joe Nutting claimed 3-48 while, in their run chase, Tom Nutting hit 40 for Old Wulfs as they finished on 138-5.

Bloxwich travel to mid-table rivals Penkridge on Saturday.

Aqil Ahmed led from the front as Cannock & Rugeley beat Whittington by seven wickets.

Skipper Ahmed marshalled C&R's victory push with 49, after an impressive bowling display had seen Whittington shot out for 119.

Aldridge are next up for Ahmed's men at the weekend with the captain set to name an unchanged side.

Brewood captain Dave Wedge was left frustrated with his team's batting performance despite bagging a winning draw in a rain-affected clash with Wednesbury.

Wedge hit a respectable 35 not out, as Brewood were restricted to 147-8 – a total the skipper felt was below par.

He said: "We didn't bat as well as we can and I was concerned that 147 wasn't going to be enough."

But a combination of some tidy bowling and the weather saw Brewood bag the lion's share of the points, with Wednesbury 139-5 when the rain came.

Wedge's side face a crunch clash on Saturday when they square up to promotion rivals Pelsall.

Hammerwich claimed a winning draw against Aldridge in another clash affected by the weather.

They were dismissed for 182 all out, Mike Astley top-scoring with 48.

But, during the Aldridge innings, the heavens opened and halted the game with the hosts on 142-7 with 10 overs left.

Title hopefuls Pelsall will travel to Brewood on Saturday buoyed by last weekend's winning draw against Penkridge.

Richard Cooper's posted 197-7 but stubborn Penkridge held on at 129-9 to deny them victory.