Paul Grainger and Dan Wale lead Pelsall charge

Having suffered their first defeat of the season against Beacon the previous week, Pelsall duly bounced back with a 133-run win to climb back to the top of the standings.

Opener Paul Grainger hit 108 in Pelsall’s total of 241-8, after they had won the toss and chosen to bat.

Dan Wale then claimed 7-36 with the ball, as hosts Hammerwich were bowled out for just 108 in reply.

“Paul and Dan stood out but this was a really strong team performance,” said Pennell. “This always felt like it was going to be a big game for us, particularly after losing to Beacon when we probably didn’t do ourselves justice.

“It was good to bounce back and says a lot about the character of the team. We made a lot of changes during the winter, with four new players coming in.

“The way they responded to disappointment bodes well for the months ahead.”

Grainger’s innings laid the foundations for what proved a more than competitive total and he was given solid support all the way down the order, most notably from Jake Lee, who hit 38.

Wale, who bowled many of his overs in tandem with Tom Boyd (2-37), then set about dismantling the Hammerwich top order.

“It is shaping up to be a really tough division this year, in my view the standard has gone up a level,” added Pennell. “It is still very early days but we have to be pleased with our start.”

Pelsall’s maximum 24-point haul from Saturday’s game allowed them to leapfrog Beacon, who claimed 20 points thanks to a convincing six-wicket win over Whittington.

The visitors arrived fresh from having bowled out Springvale for just 26 the previous week but this time experienced their own difficulties with the bat against a formidable home attack.

Beacon’s South African import Jarrod Alberts continued his impressive start to the year, claiming 4-39 as Whittington were bowled out for 118 in less than 40 overs.

Leigh Pasmore, Oliver Green and Thomas Bingham all claimed two wickets apiece, while Steven Kelly carried his bat to top score for the visitors with an unbeaten 40.

Jono Allcock removed both Beacon openers, but Dan Brosnan (33) and skipper Dan Green combined for a third-wicket partnership of 66 which all but sealed Beacon’s win.

Green would finish unbeaten on 44 as he guided his team to the total in 37 overs.

Aldridge are now level on points with third-placed Penn after holding their nerve to record a four-wicket win at Wednesbury.

The success owed much to an excellent team bowling performance which saw the hosts dismissed for 140 in 49 overs.

Nasir Ali Khan was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-29, though both William Steadman and Afzal Hussain claimed two wickets each, the latter also responsible for the first of two run outs.

Omar Ali provided some resistance with a determined 47 and some late hitting from No.11 Muhammed Waseem (20) further bumped up the total.

Aldridge were then appeared to be cruising as opener Chris De Wit smashed 62 but Sajid Nazir ensured a less than polished finish for the visitors with 4-42 in what ultimately proved a losing effort.