Walsall beaten in crazy last-ball defeat
Walsall suffered a dramatic last-ball defeat as Berkswell claimed a win that took them to the top of the Birmingham League Premier Division.
Walsall were nine wickets down and 71 runs shy of their 271 target on the final delivery of the game.
But inexplicably they attempted a pointless third run and Paul Byrne was run out, gifting all 24 points to Berkswell, for whom Chris Whittock (136 not out) helped them recover from 127-7 to post 270-8.
Billy-Jo Cox (3-49) had earlier had the visitors in trouble when he removed the top three with just 20 on the board.
At 127-7, they were in further trouble before an eighth-wicket stand of 117 between Whittock and Grant Thornton (61) saw them recover to 270-8.
Helped by stout middle-order resistance from Byrne (59) and James Middleton (44), Walsall held on against the potent seam attack of Ryan Sidebottom (4-35) and Grant Thornton (3-43) until their moment of madness.
Elsewhere, 7-33 from Brinder Phagura helped West Bromwich Dartmouth (93-2) thrash Kenilworth Wardens by eight wickets.
Tom Brammer (37 not out) made the only score of note for Wardens, who were shot out for 92.
Kidderminster (251 all out) drew with fellow strugglers Dorridge (230-8) despite skipper Neil Pinner hitting 114.
Wolverhampton made 251-9 thanks to an opening stand of 110 between Amritpal Singh (86) and Matthew Kleinveldt but they couldn’t quite beat Ombersley, who finished on 189-7.
