Beacon victory sets up table-top clash

Teenagers Michael Hartwell, 19, and Sam Flavell, 14, calmly took a young Beacon side past Hammerwich to leave last season's runners-up in a familiar second-place spot in the Premier Division.

Milford Hall are four points ahead at the top of the Staffordshire Clubs Championship but the two teams meet this weekend in a crucial match. Tonks, however, isn't putting too much focus on it.

"It's a massive game against Milford," he admitted. "But I wouldn't say it's critical, because of the win-lose games that we've got for the next nine weeks. People will take points off each other.

"We're not under pressure to win, but either team who wins this weekend will take a lot of momentum out of the game.

"There's five teams who can win this league, and we'll always be in that top five, there's no question about that.

"We were close last year and we are up there this year, we've got some good players."

Beacon bowled Hammerwich out for 184 and Tonks (35) was guiding his team to victory before he was caught on the boundary with around 25 runs left to get.

"I chucked my wicket away, and should have batted with more sense," admitted Tonks. "But it was great to see the young lads come through a pressure situation like that. We were made up for them."

Milford Hall beat Walsall YPF by 95 runs thanks to an unbeaten 76 from 16-year-old James Davies.

"He's a Milford junior who's come up through the ranks, so it's really pleasing," said captain Chris Milward. "He played a very mature innings.

"We've got two big games coming up against Beacon and Cannock.

"We've played a few of the bottom teams recently so it will be interesting to see how we get on."

Cannock are third after beating Pelsall at home by 80 runs. Eddie Martin top scored with an unbeaten 54 as the hosts made 206-9 from their 50 overs.

Matt Cottrell and Connor Shingler then took three wickets apiece as Pelsall were bowled out for 126.

Sandeep Dhillon's quick-fire century from just 62 balls guided Penn to a five-wicket victory over Whittington that moved them up to fourth. The opening batsman hit 12 fours and six sixes.

Imran Jashad shone with the ball earlier on, taking 4-18 from his 10 overs.