Staffs Clubs rivals get ready for key clash
Beacon skipper Matthew Tonks reckons the Staffs Clubs Championship Premier Division might be down to a three-horse race as they prepare to take on one of their title rivals.
The unbeaten leaders host third-placed Cannock on Saturday, aiming to increase their still slender lead at the top.
Despite winning eight out of the 10 games to survive the weather this summer, Tonks's men still find themselves just nine points clear of second-placed Milford Hall.
After sweeping aside Aldridge by six wickets last weekend, they came off the field to find their closest challengers had duly won by the same margin at Penn.
Cannock, who are 35 points behind the leaders, thrashed Walsall YPF by 266 runs after racking up 353-6 batting first.
And Tonks believes the title will be likely be claimed by one of the current top trio, saying: "I don't want to disrespect other teams and there is always a chance things can change.
"But, at the moment, it looks as though it will be one from three. We are pleased with how things are going but obviously taking nothing for granted.
"With three games having been abandoned and having won eight of the other 10, we might expect to be a little further clear than we are.
"It shows how tough winning this league is going to be."
Milford Hall's win at Penn was fuelled by a strong bowling performance which saw Chris Dean (4-47) and Sam Jeavons (3-50) limit the hosts to just 190.
Opener Aaron Afford hit an unbeaten 86 in the reply as Milford got home with nine overs to spare.
Fourth-placed Hammerwich lost ground after losing by 72 runs at Pelsall.
Further down the table, Ranvir Singh hit an unbeaten 108 as Wednesbury picked up just their second win of the season at Swindon.
Omar Ali (62 not out) and Kulveer Badhan, who made 51, also made significant contributions as the visitors made 259-4 batting first.
Ashley Wright then took 5-40, as Swindon were skittled for just 133 in reply. The 126-run win was enough to lift Wednesbury off the foot of the table.
Bloxwich replace them at the bottom after collapsing to a 59-run defeat at Whittington, for whom Dan Wilks starred with both bat and ball.
Wilks top scored with 90 from just 52 balls as the hosts made 210-8 from 31 overs, before claiming 3-31.
The struggling visitors fell well short in their reply, with only three players making it into double figures.
