Vale keen to secure top flight status
Springvale skipper Matt Bennett has called for a big performance this weekend as his team look to secure survival at home to Aldridge.
With just two games remaining, Springvale require just eight more points to confirm their Premier Division status for next season.
And Bennett wants his team to seal the deal at the first time of asking, to ensure there are no unnecessary nerves when they visit Penn on the final day.
Springvale travelled to the same opponents on the last day two years ago requiring just a handful of points, only to stumble to relegation.
“We only needed five points at Penn two years ago but we didn’t get them,” explained the skipper, whose team won an instant return from Division One a year ago.
“We don’t want to go into the final game with anything on the line. All it needs is one big performance and we will be safe. Nothing can be left to chance.”
Springvale had the chance to seal safety last weekend but had to settle for a losing draw away at Wednesbury.
Wednesbury’s Danny King claimed 5-36 as the visitors were restricted to 168-9, in reply to the home side’s 250-7.
The seven points gained by Springvale was still enough to further open the gap over 11th-placed Walsall YPF to 41 points.
A two-wicket defeat to Whittington means Walsall need to win both of their remaining fixtures to stand any chance of staying up.
Bowled out for just 136, they were always facing a losing battle against Whittington but came close to pulling off a fine win thanks to Rafakat Hussain’s 6-31 before the visitors edged home.
Hammerwich secured an impressive five-wicket win over fourth-placed Penn.
A 50-run 10th wicket partnership between Dan Smith (22) and Matt Ansell (24 not out) boosted Penn’s total to 146.
Hammerwich reached the target with almost 10 overs to spare, Stephen Blews top scoring with an unbeaten 37.
In a thrilling finish, Beacon bagged a seven-wicket win at Rugeley.
Bowled out for 142 thanks to Muhammad Sultan’s eight-wicket haul, Beacon dismissed the hosts for 135, Jarrod Alberts and Jason Swan taking four wickets each.
