Spinners turn on the style for title chasers

Ben Robinson and Dan Vernon bagged four wickets each as the Four Ashes outfit eased to an impressive seven-wicket success at Penn.

After reaching 45 without loss, hosts Penn were then undone by the slow-bowling duo and slumped to 113 all out.

The winter recruits are proving a huge hit at Brewood with Robinson currently the leading top-flight wicket-taker with 28 while Vernon is third in the standings with 24.

“We wanted to add some players with Birmingham League experience to the squad for this season and Ben and Dan fitted that criteria,” said vice-captain Jamie Lunn. “They were both looking for a new challenge and the opportunity was there to sign them.

“They have settled in really well and are obviously doing the business on the pitch.

“The pitches are favouring the spinners at the moment but you still have to put the ball in the right areas

“They have been doing that and did it again on Saturday. They bowled very well on a pitch that we felt was a 240 track.”

Penn’s top four all reached 20, but no-one went on to make a telling contribution as Robinson (4-20) and Vernon (4-12) joined forces.

Jake Cartwright (45 not out) and Sam Flavell (32 not out) then saw Brewood home for the loss of three wickets.

Bloxwich are next up for the leaders with Lunn convinced being top of the table won’t bring any added pressure.

“I don’t think there will be any added pressure because we have gone top,” he said. “Having come down from the Birmingham League, we have been there to be shot at all season.

“We have won nine games out of 10 and the confidence is high. We just have to maintain our form.”

Coseley’s Dave Stibbon is another spinner who is making a big impact this summer.

Stibbon has made light of the step up in standard following last season’s promotion and sits between Robinson and Vernon in the leading wicket-taker table.

He took his tally for the season to 25 thanks to the latest in a growing list of eye-catching displays with the ball. The off-spinner helped turn the game his side’s way against Aldridge with a fine spell that saw him return figures of 4-15 from 10 overs.

That haul, backed up by 3-15 from skipper Stuart Jones and 2-45 from Thomas Wassell, saw Aldridge dismissed for 175.

That total would have been far less but for a defiant last-wicket stand between William Steadman and Afzal Hussain. The duo put on 61 with Steadman ending unbeaten on 40.

Jimmy Howell and Adam Shermer then saw Coseley across the finish line.

Number three Howell top-scored with 43 while Shermer walked off 40 not out as Coseley secured a five-wicket success.