Praise for Brewood openers after win
Brewood skipper Dave Wedge hailed openers Alex Heslop and Nick Southall for their match-winning partnership against Pelsall.
Their nine-wicket win at the weekend kept them in touch with the leaders and Heslop with 59, who retired with an injured hamstring, and Southall with 35 put on 94 for the first wicket, earning praise from their captain.
Wedge said: "It's invaluable. If you are 20-3 then you've got an uphill struggle, it's much easier if you reach 50-0.
"They didn't give any chances and were flawless in their innings."
Earlier, Wedge's 4-18 and Chris Pearce's 4-30 skittled Pelsall out for 146 and the captain now believes the title is between themselves, leaders Beacon, Pelsall and Wednesbury.
The skipper said: "We are the only unbeaten side in the league so teams are beatable.
"I would say there are still four teams in the hunt, although one or two others are looking to join us."
Hammerwich are reaping the rewards for their impressive form, according to captain Brian Fisher.
They smashed Springvale at home on Saturday after bowling their visitors out for 115, before reaching 116-5 to keep their pursuit of the top four on track.
Akhtar Pervaiz claimed 4-52 and Waheed Hussain 5-18 to demolish the Springvale batting and, as they chased, Eddie Jarvis top-scored with 45 and Mohammed Yahya plundered 40.
Fisher was pleased with the nature of the performance and insists they deserve their fifth place on merit.
He said: "One of our targets at the start of the season was mid-table. To find ourselves sitting in upper mid-table at this stage is superb.
"We're not thinking about promotion – it wasn't our target – but I don't think we're over achieving.
"Our position in the league shows how well we've been playing cricket and we'll keep pushing.
"We have the same eight, nine or 10 people who play week in, week out, which helps."
