Springvale shine with victory over Beacon

The Millfield Road outfit dealt the Staffs Clubs Premier Division leaders their first defeat of the year after claiming a superb four-wicket victory.

And Chatham said: "It was a brilliant win for us. We have been in the Premier Division before, about four or five years ago and getting outplayed every week.

"Now it feels like we have belief in our ability and can give anyone a game. In the context of things, this has to be one of the best results in our history."

After winning the toss and choosing to field, Springvale looked like facing a target some way north of 350 after Roger Fildes (68) and Zachary Smith (64) put on 124 for the second wicket.

But Eren Ranu and Lee Allen picked up five wickets between them to gradually pull things back, as Beacon finished on 271-9.

Springvale chased down the total with four balls to spare, with Matthew Bennett's patient 64 anchoring the innings, before Anwar Shamin's 33 from 18 balls saw them over the line.

Chatham said: "We feared the worst going into the game, with the sort of run they have been on,

"The first 20 overs seemed to confirm those fears when they were going at six an over but we were able to turn things round.

"It would have been easy for us to play for the draw from there but we went for it and it came off. That's the kind of aggressive cricket we want to play,"

Despite the significance of the win, which puts them seventh in the table, Chatham insists his team won't be getting carried away ahead of this weekend's home game with Aldridge.

He said: "The main aim remains survival. The past few years it has all come down to the final day of the season.

"We hope things will be a bit more comfortable this time."

Whittington are sixth after Steven Kelly's 143, from 133 balls, helped them chase down Swindon's 267-4 for the loss of just four wickets and with five overs to spare.

Penkridge moved up to eighth after winning a low-scoring thriller at Milford Hall by one wicket, chasing down the hosts' total of 146.

Cannock skipper Will Fleet believes the club are well within reach of their table-topping goal as they go into vital clashes with promotion rivals Penn and Lichfield.

The captain praised his side showing with the bat as they secured a winning draw against Aldridge.

Fleet said: "We played really well, we did everything to win the game, but struggled with that last wicket for an overall.

"The weaker part of our game this season has been batting, so to set a target of 327 was really pleasing.

"Wes Marshall took a great 123 – we spoke about opening and staying put, not being beaten and he did just that.

"He allowed me to finish the job fourth in the order, I thought about declaring, but a big target like that sends confidence right through the team."

Cannock host Penn on Saturday as fifth meets fourth, Fleet could not hide the magnitude of the tie.

He said: "If we can get a couple of results again, Penn and then Lichfield, we'll be right in there.

"With Beacon slipping up last weekend too, there are five or six of us that can really aim for the top spot.

"We know Penn are a really good bowling side from our meets in the Birmingham League, these next four or five weeks are crucial."

Lichfield's 'best all-around performance of the season', according to skipper Tom Stone, saw them ease to a winning draw against Hammerwich.

After taking 17 points from the clash as second played third, they now visit basement side Wednesbury looking to make more ground on leaders Beacon.

He said: "It was our best all-around performance, we tried to bowl them all out at the end, so the result flattered them.

"We're really focused on our own game, we've been consistent, I've been loyal to my players and we're seeing rewards.

"Callum Heanan hit a great 68, he hasn't hit the ground running this season but that will do him the world of good.

"It ended up being an almost match-winning contribution, that's where showing loyalty as a captain is important, your places will respond and come up with the goods.

"Wednesbury have had quite a fall from grace, with dented confidence, but we lost there last year – and we're looking to rectify that."