Rain fails to dampen Pelsall's celebrations

The long-time Premier Division table-toppers sealed the title deal when their clash with second-placed Cannock was abandoned during the second innings on Saturday.

Rain brought a halt to proceedings with Cannock on 48-1 in reply to Pelsall’s 232 with the eight points gained seeing Danny Pennell’s side claim the silverware.

“It was good to get it done and dusted on Saturday,” said Pennell. “It would have been nice to have sealed the title with a victory but I don’t think anyone can deny we have been the best team over the season.”

Pennell highlighted some impressive winter recruitment as one of the keys behind the club’s success.

“We lost four players in the winter who had been with the club for a long time but I think we recruited really well,” he said.

“The lads we brought in where all in their early 20s and they were all hungry for success.

“The key was then to get the side to gel because, as skipper, I like everyone in the side to know what their role is.

“We struggled for the first few weeks and then had a big win against Hammerwich which gave everyone a lot of belief.

“And since then we have played some good cricket. The top four have all scored plenty of runs and the four main bowlers have picked up wickets with the back up bowlers also chipping in. It’s been a good team effort.”

Tom Boyd (78) and Todd Henderson (46) were the main run-getters in Pelsall’s total of 232 while Matt Robisnn finished with impressive figures of 6-47.

Beacon closed the gap on Cannock courtesy of a convincing eight-wicket success against Walsall YPF.

South African all-rounder Jarrod Alberts shone with bat and ball for Beacon, firstly picking up 4-9 with his off-spin as Walsall were dismissed for 94. Ollie Green (3-24) and Leigh Passmore (2-27) provided solid support.

Alberts then plundered an unbeaten 70 from 36 balls, including seven sixes and five fours, to fire Beacon to victory in 12 overs.

A stunning spell from Matthew Bennett saw Springvale end their home campaign on a high note in a low-scoring clash with Aldridge.

Bennett recorded the best top flight figures of the season as he took 8-24 to roll out Aldridge for just 59.

Springvale had earlier found runs hard to come by and were indebted to a half-century from opener Ashley Hartshorn as they were dismissed for 122.

Nasir Ali Khan and William Steadman both picked up three wickets for Aldridge.

Fourth-placed Penn cruised to an emphatic 10-wicket win at Wednesbury.

Dan Smith (4-46), Tom Nutting (3-16) and Imran Jamshed (2-30) combined to dismiss the hosts for 121.

Sandeep Dhillon and Nutting then joined forces with an unbroken century stand to complete an easy win with Dhillon ending unbeaten on 62 and Nutting 50 not out.

Whittington maintained their impressive run of form over the second half of the season by beating relegated Swindon.

Matt Stone took 4-19 and Jono Allcock 3-79 as Swindon posted 149.

Whittington opener Dan Wilks then continued his fine run with the bat by plundering 68 from 27 balls, including seven sixes and five fours, to see his side home for the loss of four wickets.

Hammerwich’s clash with Rugeley was ended by the rain.

Muhammad Sultan had provided the highlight of the day with 92 off 65 balls in Rugeley’s total of 223-7 declared. Seamer Stephen Blews picked up 3-23 for the home side.

Hammerwich were 52-1 off 11 overs when the rain came.