Skipper vows that Bridgnorth won't let up

Second-placed Bridgnorth, two points behind leaders Sutton Coldfield, are now 35 points clear of third-placed Tamworth who could only manage a losing draw at Halesowen.

With fourth-placed Penkridge having suffered a shock defeat to lowly Stourbridge, it means the Birmingham & District League's Division Two's duo of front-runners have genuine breathing space.

And Ralph is determined his side, who have now won three on the spin, force the advantage home.

He said; "We have to set our sights on winning the next five or six games and maintaining the gap. If we can do that then maybe the final weeks of the season won't be as stressful."

Ralph was able to take a fair amount of credit for Saturday's win himself after taking 4-44 to halt a blistering start from Shifnal, which saw their captain Tom Collins and Charlie Home put on 61 for the first wicket.

Sam Whitney also took 4-74, as the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out 181.

A decision to promote Ian Gregory up the order to open then paid dividends as he smashed a quick-fire 56 to give the chase much needed early momentum.

Simon Gregory also chipped in with an important 46 as Bridgnorth got home in relative ease.

Ralph added: "It wasn't the best of wickets. It was low and turning from the opening over, so it was important we bowled well in the middle overs to restrict them.

"Had they got up to 200 or a bit more than that, it may have been difficult to chase. In the end, we did well with the bat.

"It was no use just going out there and playing shots. You had to be patient and pick the right moment to attack.

"It's nice to get one over on Shifnal, they have a good team and we had to fight hard for the win."

Shifnal skipper Tom Collins admitted frustration at his side being unable to make the most of their bright start.

He said: "If we could have made somewhere between 220 or 230, it might have been interesting. In the end, we did not show enough application."

In the Premier Division, Shrewsbury saw their Birmingham League Premier Division title hopes dented by a below-par batting display.

The London Roaders started the day two points behind table-topping Berkswell in third place.

But they suffered an afternoon to forget, as they were shot out for 84 by reigning champions West Bromwich Dartmouth.

Shrewsbury lost four wickets with the score on seven before Worcestershire's Ed Barnard (32) and Rob Foster (20) attempted to lead a rescue mission, with a half-century fifth-wicket stand.

But, having battled to 81-6, Shrewsbury then lost their last four wickets for three runs. Sarmad Bhatti took 4-39 and Kadeer Ali 3-2 for Dartmouth.

But Dartmouth were made to graft for their victory thanks to a superb effort from Stephen Barnard, who took 5-36 as the visitors won by six wickets.

The result saw Shrewsbury slip to 15 points behind leaders Berkswell.

Oswestry and Wellington are facing a battle to beat the drop in Division One after they both tasted defeat at the weekend.

Oswestry were beaten for the second time this season by promotion chasing Walsall. An unbeaten 50 from Alun Morris helped Oswestry recover from 68-6 to reach 194-9.

Worcestershire's Joe Clarke chipped in with 39 while Robbie Clarke made 30. Ed Denham took 6-39 from 17 overs for the hosts.

The Gorway outfit reached their victory target with comparative ease as they sailed home for the loss of four wickets – Mike Hingley (67) and Alex McChristie (61 not out) leading the way.

Wellington are second from bottom, one place below Oswestry, after slipping to a seven-wicket defeat to resurgent Himley.

Arfan Khan (3-33) and Ryan Brown (3-36) reduced Wellington to 81-7 before Adam Byram (52) and Anthony O'Connor (47 not out) inspired a recovery to 183-8.

Himley openers Greg Wright (74) and Will Fraine (68) put on 129 to set the hosts on the way to victory.

In Division Three, spinner Vansh Bajaj was the star as Whitchurch claimed their third win on the bounce in a low-scoring thriller at Astwood Bank.

Bajaj claimed 6-33 as Whitchurch, having been asked to field, routed the hosts for just 103 in 38 overs.

But the reply proved more problematic than expected when the departure of skipper Maisam Hasnain, following an opening stand of 51 with Evelyn Jones, sparked a collapse.

Whitchurch eventually edged home with just three wickets to spare, leaving Hasnain to reflect on a toss he was happy to lose.

He said: "I think them asking us to field was a good decision for us and not a good one for them. It was a dry pitch, which gave plenty of help to the spinners and Vansh was able to make the most of it.

"We got off to a good start with the bat but when they brought their spinners on it became difficult. Ultimately, we were just glad to come away with the win."

The winning run has launched Whitchurch up to fifth in the table, just 29 points adrift of current leaders Cannock & Rugeley Hawks. For Hasnain, it is all to play for over the final 10 games.

He said: "When we have a full side out, I think we are more than a match for anyone. That is going to be key over the second half of the season."

Worfield are out of the bottom four after a thumping 29-run win at Aston Manor.

George Hargrave hit an unbeaten 94 in the visitors total of 275-5 from their 55 overs, with Tom Matthews also thrashing 54 from just 37 balls.

That appeared more than enough when Aston were reduced to 105-6 but a blistering 75, from Shozab Haider had hearts in mouths before the hosts were eventually all out for 246.