Salim Khan keen to kick on after stunning success

Salim Khan’s side had started the day in the Premier Division drop zone but chalked up their best result of the season to claim a 73-run success against the promotion hopefuls.

On a testing surface for the batsmen, 16-year-old Ghulam Abbas produced the standout knock of the day to help the hosts post a challenging total.

Abbas top scored with 63 as Walsall reached 160 with only one other batsman reaching double figures, while Beacon didn’t help their cause by conceding a staggering 60 extras.

South African duo Jason Swan (4-30) and Jarred Alberts (3-36) were the pick of the Beacon attack.

A devastating opening spell from Rafakat Hussain set Walsall on the way to victory. Hussain ripped out the visitors’ top five on the way to figures of 5-23, and was well supported by Qaisar Abbas (4-14) as Beacon were shot out for 87 on their way to a first defeat of the season.

A delighted Khan is now hoping the result will kick-start a climb away from the drop zone.

“It was a brilliant result for us,” he said. “We thought we would give Beacon a good game, but it was never in our dreams that we would beat them because they are genuinely a very good side.

“The last few weeks we have picked up good results. After our loss to Swindon earlier in the season we took a look at ourselves and said ‘What can we do to survive in this league and play the cricket we are capable of?’.

“We lost some games early in the season to sides we should be beating.

“We need to win a few games to survive in the league. But this win will give us added confidence and I am hopeful that in the second half of the season our guys will show a bit more fight.”

And Khan reserved a word of praise for teenager Abbas.

“The highest score in the match was from a 16-year-old and he really applied himself,” said Khan. “It was a difficult wicket to start with, the ball was moving laterally but he batted really well. The big mistake Beacon made was the number of extras they gave us.

“We thought we were 30 runs short but we knew that on our home ground, with the new ball if you bowl wicket to wicket there is always a chance.

“They started off OK and were 40-odd for one, but then there was a middle order collapse that saw them slip lose five quick wickets and we knew we had the game.”

Pelsall benefitted from Beacon’s defeat by claiming victory in the division’s match of the day at Cannock.

Todd Henderson enhanced his reputation as the best all-rounder in the top flight with a classy 115 not out in Pelsall’s total of 245-7.

Experienced opener Paul Grainger made 34 while Cannock spinner Daniel Wood bagged 4-46.

A fine opening burst from seamer Tom Boyd then set Pelsall on the way to victory.

Boyd dismissed four of the hosts’ top five and with spinners Lee Buckingham and Ryan Brown bagging two wickets each, Cannock were bowled out for 180.

Eddie Martin provided some late resistance with a half-century.

The win leaves Pelsall 24 points in front of Beacon with Cannock a point further back.

Aldridge are relishing the chance to go toe-to-toe with leaders Pelsall on Saturday after victory over Springvale.

Skipper Dan Shortland is delighted with his side’s progress as they sit fifth in the standings.

“We have Pelsall on Saturday and that’s a big game, but we are relishing theses games against the bigger sides,” he said.

“It will give us a good idea as to where we are and how we are progressing.

“We lost five key players in the winter we replaced then with new and younger players. We wanted to put the focus on youth and and give the younger players a chance. And so far the signs are really encouraging.

“If we could stay around where we are in the table or nick a place or two higher, then that would be above what we could have hoped for at the start of the season.”

Nabil Yaqub (87) and Nasir Ali Khan (60) and a whopping 74 extras saw Aldridge to 327-7.

Springvale were dismissed for 167 in reply with Paul Baker hitting 44. Afzal Hussain (4-31) and Royeth Hussain (3-21) did the damage with the ball.

Bottom-of-the-table Swindon gave their bid to beat the drop a boost with a crucial win against Whittington.

Skipper Waqar Ahmad led by example for Swindon with 121 in their total of 316-9. Paul Wale added support with 42.

Ahmad capped a fine individual display by picking up 4-25 as Whittington were dismissed for 286. Sam Leech hit 88.

Penn remain fourth after a comfortable seven-wicket success against Wednesbury.

Skipper Mark Green shone with bat and ball, taking 3-18 from 10 overs as Wednesbury made 199. Nikul Lal also claimed three wickets. Green was then unbeaten on 58 while Amun Samra made 63 as Penn eased home.