Ben Nightingale swings to good effect

Ben Nightingale, batting at number 10, and last man Matthew Ansell plundered 89 for the 10th wicket to see Penn to 296-6.

Nightingale smashed eight fours and three sixes on his way to an unbeaten 65 from 32 balls while Ansell made 31 not out. George Nock had earlier struck 71 and No.8 Imran Jamshed 45.

Matthew Bennett impressed with the ball for the Vale as he picked up 3-35 from 10 overs.

Penn’s total proved well beyond their hosts with Ryan Mills taking 3-17 as they were bowled out for 147. Jamshed and Nightingale added to their exploits with the bat by claiming two wickets each.

Cannock are leading the race to haul in Premier Division leaders Pelsall following a six-wicket success at Whittington.

After asking their hosts to bat, a disciplined display with the ball saw Cannock restrict Whittington to 222-8 from their 50 overs.

Phillip Heighway was the pick of the visiting attack with figures of 3-36, while there were two wickets each for Eddie Martin and Matt Robinson.

An impressive run-chase then saw Cannock ease home in the 43rd over.

Opener Zak Shingler (73) and No.3 Matt Cottrell (77) were the stars with the bat as they shared a 129-run second-wicket partnership.

Craig Jennings struck a fine century to help improving Hammerwich comfortably see off the challenge of Walsall YPF.

Jennings (131), Josh Allen (50) and Ben Traat (48) shone with the bat at Hammerwich piled up 299-9.

Skipper John Jennings then took centre stage with the ball, picking up 4-15 as Walsall fell for 137.

Wednesbury ended a disappointing run of that has seen them lose their previous four completed games by beating Rugeley by 70 runs.

Rishi Khokani top-scored with 36 batting at nine in Wednesbury’s 175. Muhammad Sultan took 4-34.