Fordhouses close in on leaders after triumph

David Powles (3-33) and Tendai Chisoro (3-51) reduced Oswestry to 203-9.

In reply, Fordhouses’ top three of Niall Cooper (84), Shoaib Akhtar (50) and Alex McChristie (39no) helped their side to a comfortable six-wicket victory.

Cannock & Rugeley Hawks are in third place after crushing Harborne by 146 runs at Rawnsley.

The mid-Staffordshire side smashed 338-8 declared in 50 overs with 85 from Omar Ali, 75 from Mubeen Rashid and 60 from Kabir Ali, who also picked up 5-50.

After a difficult start to the season, Halesowen have moved up into fourth place following a crushing nine-wicket win against Penkridge, who drop into the bottom two. Rana Hassan hit 46 as Penkridge struggled to 147 all out with three wickets each to Eddie Rhodes (3-26) and Richard Brooker (3-33). Halesowen strolled to victory thanks to an unbroken partnership between Hassan Qaumi (91no) and Mohammed Shauib (54no).

Bottom club Old Hill’s victory over Wombourne keeps them in touch with safety and owed much to Daud Islam, who took 4-46 as Wombourne folded to 121 all out.

The experienced Ravi Nagra (52no) and teenager Harry Baddams (50no) saw Old Hill over the finishing line with some ease.

Adam Peat’s 6-3 strengthened Lichfield’s position at the top of the Division Three table as Newport were blown away for 28.

The match between Brewood and Sentinel was also a low-scoring affair, with Sentinel dismissed for 50 in response to the home side’s 131. South African Wade Lezar took 7-20.

Stourbridge were held to a draw by Handsworth. Jujar Johal (72) top-scored, while Jade Richter (4-49) took the bowling honours.

Milford Hall’s six-wicket win at Worcester Nomads lifts them out of the bottom four, with Ejaz Nawaz (5-36) and Zaheer Suliman (99no) starring.

Streetly smashed 304-8 in their victory over Stratford-upon-Avon with 100 from Imran Qadir and 46 from Sean Dunne.