Milford march to the title in stunning nine-wicket victory

Milford started the match knowing victory in their final outing of the summer would leave them in an unassailable position at the top of the standings and avoid a tense wait to see if any of their rivals would overall them when the season concludes on Saturday.

And they duly took care of business with a convincing nine-wicket victory at home to Old Wulfs Tettenhall, thanks in no small part to a devastating display with the ball from Ejaz Nawaz.

Old Wulfs had made steady progress to reach 82-3 before seamer Nawaz ripped through their batting order, picking up six wickets while the visitors added just 14 runs.

Nawaz’s destructive spell (6-16) saw him bag a hat-trick, five wickets in seven balls and six in 11 at a cost of a single boundary. Only Mathusuthan Rabindranath offered any real resistance with his half-century helping his side to 140.

Despite the loss of an early wicket in their reply, there were no further setbacks for Milford as Waqar Saleem (77 not out) and James Davis (61 not out) put together an unbroken 136-run partnership in just 18 overs to secure victory and the title.

James Fildes and Nathan Howell had the bowlers running for cover as neighbours Beacon and Wombourne squared up.

Opener Fildes set the tone with a big-hitting innings for hosts Beacon. He struck 19 fours and six sixes on his way to a brilliant 157 from 119 balls.

Ollie Walker chipped with with 49, sharing a second-wicket stand of 140 with Fildes, as second-placed Beacon posted 283-8 from 40 overs.

Howell then came out all guns blazing with a destructive innings that threatened to upstage Fildes’ earlier effort.

The former Beacon player launched a blistering attack that saw him reach his half-century in the fifth over. He went on to make 119 from just 50 balls, including 12 fours and nine sixes, before falling with the score on 166.

Zak Smith added a half-century, but only two other Wombourne batters reached double figures as another batting collapse saw them bowled out for 230. Jason Swan took 4-41.

Lichfield are fourth in standings following a 70-run success at home to Hammerwich.

Callum Heanan (62 not out), Will Davies (61) and Rich Taylor-Tibbott (49) helped Lichfield to 242-8. John Jennings (4-41) was the pick of the Hammerwich attack.

Hammerwich never threatened to chase down that target as they were dismissed for 172. Stephen Blews made 41 while Tom Swift picked up four wickets for 24 from his eight overs.

Wolverhampton were involved in a tense finish for the second weekend running as they edged to a three-run win at home to Brewood.

Simon Lycett top scored with 49 in Wolves’ 149 as Dean Lones picked up 3-29.

Brewood looked well set at 123-3 but suffered a collapse that saw them lose their last seven wickets for 23 runs. James Hammond and Andy Bowyer both claimed three wickets.

Fordhouses endured a mixed weekend as they beat Penkridge on Saturday before losing to Lichfield the following day,

Surinder Sharma took 4-44 to help dismiss Penkridge for 143. An unbeaten 53 from Parminder Singh saw Fordhouses home by two wickets despite Samuel Smith picking up 4-33.

On Sunday, Fordhouses were shot out for 127 with Lichfield then knocking off the required runs for the loss of four wickets.