Wolverhampton beaten in top two clash

They approach next week's halfway mark of the Birmingham & District League Premier Division season 10 points adrift of the table-toppers.

They are 14 points clear of third-placed Kenilworth Wardens. Dan Bowyer (40) and Tom Fell (36) put on 81 for the first Wolverhampton wicket, which was built on by Wasim Jaffer (78).

Having reached 183-3, Wolverhampton collapsed to 220 all out.

Oliver Haley (104 not out) and Mark Best (54) posted 110 before the first Berkswell wicket fell, and the result was never in doubt as the visitors romped home.

Wardens kept their title hopes alive with a comfortable six-wicket win over West Bromwich Dartmouth – most of the damage done by two former Dartmouth players.

Junead Zaman (4-36) and Brinder Phagura (3-34) ran through the Dartmouth batting order, before Kabir Ali provided late resistance with 37.

A devastating opening spell by Mohammed Fahim Jan (4-35) reduced Wardens to 22-4.

But an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 131 between Scott Stenning (67 no) and Harry Johnson (55 no) steered them to victory.

A much-weakened Walsall batting line-up crashed to 71 all out in 27 overs, after makeshift openers Paul Wicker (16) and Ben Ladd-Gibbon (25) put together an opening stand of 35.

Despite losing four wickets, Knowle & Dorridge wrapped up an easy victory.

There was another low-scoring encounter at London Road where Kidderminster were bundled out for 89 by Shrewsbury, losing by nine wickets.

Smethwick are neck-and-neck at the top of the Division One table with Dorridge on 156 points.

Smethwick's left-arm spinner Sukhjit Singh took 4-31 against Bromsgrove, who were dismissed for 154, before 88 no from Amitoze Singh guided them to victory.

Dorridge struggled to 131 all out at home to Old Hill, with Nigel Davenport taking 5-44 for the visitors.

Bottom-of-the-table Old Hill scented a shock victory, but Ball (5-40) and Ali Ebad (4-35) put an end to their hopes.

Himley were beaten by Bridgnorth, despite posting 256-7 after an opening partnership of 111 between Will Fraine (107) and Greg Wright (49).

Second-bottom Penkridge defeated Wombourne by 147 runs in Division Two – thanks in part to Rana Hassan (98), Attiq Chishti (71) and Iresh Saxena (6-35).

Halesowen – including 93 from Jack Myers – secured a winning draw with Old Elizabethans. but there were defeats for Cannock & Rugeley Hawks and bottom club Stourbridge.

Despite being bowled out for 151, Fordhouses held on to top spot in Division Three.

Kashif Hussain (4-40) and Ruhan Pretorius (3-36) helped skittle opponents Eastnor for 138 in reply.

There was defeat for Streetly, but Brewood and Lichfield – including 65 no from Thomas Stone – both picked up victories.