Brian Barnard passes 1,000 runs for Cannock
Brian Barnard passed 1,000 runs for Cannock in a little over two months of English cricket by hitting another century in his side's win at Wednesbury in the Staffs Clubs Championship.
Wednesbury, who remain second bottom in the Premier Division, chose to field first and were blown away by the South African big-hitter.
He bludgeoned 111 runs, with 17 boundaries, to set Cannock on their way to a total of 292-6 from 50 overs.
Abdul Salom hit 74 as Wednesbury rallied but was dismissed by Barnard – his first of two wickets in the game.
The hosts ended 208 all out after 35.2 overs, giving Cannock a rain-adjusted 54-run victory to retain their position in third.
Including his three league appearances for Cannock's Sunday B team, Barnard now has 1,039 runs for the season – 707 for the first XI and 332 for the Sunday team.
He is pleased with his form so far this campaign, but wishes to up his performances by '20 per cent' and continue to push for top spot.
Barnard said: "I am feeling really good but I think it is possible for me to notch it up 20 per cent going into the second half of the season.
"I've got no complaints at all, the preparation for every game is good and really professional.
"We are still believing, the season is only half gone so there's plenty of time for us yet."
Beacon still occupy top spot in the division – 19 points clear of Cannock – after a four-wicket victory at bottom-of-the-table Bloxwich.
The strugglers finished 164 all out after 43 overs, and Beacon had a somewhat shaky start to their innings.
Openers Roger Fildes and Daniel Green were dismissed on 14 and 23 respectively, and Nathan Howell went out for a duck.
Jason Swan and Dan Brosnan then struck up a 107 partnership when needed to set them on their way to 166-6 after 39 overs.
Four players hit 50 or more as Milford Hall beat Whittington on home soil.
Young prodigy Aaron Afford (88), Christopher Becker (67), Haydn Slodecki (60) and Zaheer Suliman (50) massively contributed to the 286 total.
Whittington did go close in their reply, but were finally stopped on 242 after 47.4 overs.
Timothy Fidler, Steve Haden and George Nock claimed two wickets each in Penn's triumph at Pelsall.
The hosts managed a total of 169 but it was not enough, with Sandeep Dhillon hitting 88 of the visitors' 170-4 reply. Penn are now fourth.
Hammerwich are fifth after a three-wicket win over Swindon and Aldridge won by 61 runs against Walsall YPF.
They are now third bottom and face league leaders Beacon this weekend.
Also, Milford Hall host Swindon, Cannock are at Bloxwich, Hammerwich face Penn, Pelsall go to Aldridge, and Wednesbury play Whittington.
