Sentinel in charge after key win over Wem

The Shrewsbury-based side saw off some spirited tail-end batting from second-placed Wem,

They won by 34 runs and stretched their advantage over their opponents to 35 points. Captain Ed Ashlin said: "We are really happy we got the win.

"We know it was an important one, but there are still seven games to go and I said to the lads afterwards we need to make sure we back it up against Broseley this Saturday.

"It really is a case of the old cliche 'take each game as it comes'. There are a lot of points to play for and plenty of cricket to be played.

"As soon as we take our eye off the ball we will get caught out and come unstuck.

"We need to make sure we continue to play good cricket, keep working hard and keep making the most out of the situation that we've worked hard to get into."

Sentinel were inserted after losing the toss and posted a healthy 199-8 from their 50 overs.

Australian overseas player Elliot Hitchen top-scored for Sentinel with a patient 65 from 113 balls.

Opener Matt Richards managed 30, while Tom Astley claimed 3-49 and Danny Cohen 2-24.

Wem had tail-enders Kerwin Mungroo (38) and Cohen (32 not out), batting at nine and 10, to thank for making a game of it, before the hosts were dismissed for 165 in the 47th over.

Ashlin was full of praise for Hitchen, adding: "It was a bit of a different performance from Elliot because he's a positive batter and likes to strike the ball.

"He played the situation, as we needed someone to stick around and get the innings required to take us to a competitive score.

"We managed to stick in there, especially with the bat because Wem bowled really well and put us under pressure. We got a total that was just about competitive.

"Then we got a great start with the ball and got some early wickets. It was pretty close but we got there in the end."

Ludlow are doing their best to push the Premier Division top two all the way to the line after strolling to an eight-wicket victory against Albrighton.

Captain Will Sparrow showed no mercy to Albrighton's batsmen as his 4-17 restricted the hosts to a modest 142 all out with five balls to spare, while Jack Griffiths took 3-39.

Jason Summers' patient 35 was the lone highlight of Albrighton's innings.

Griffiths then starred with the bat, hitting 55 not out as Ludlow reached their target in just 27.4 overs, while Sam Roberts added an unbeaten 32.

The victory saw Ludlow leapfrog Quatt into third place. Quatt's title challenge appears to be fading, after they went down by 19 runs to St Georges.

Chris Miller led the charge for the Telford outfit as he hit 69 and Sam Morgan 37 in a healthy total of 208-8.

Jonathan Edwards claimed 4-30 and Graham Yates 3-37 to restrict them.

But St Georges bowler Jamie Griffiths was in even better form with the ball, taking 4-17 as Quatt were shot out for 189.

Yates (35) and Dave Street (40), plus some erratic bowling that led to 34 extras meant St Georges had to wait until the 48th over to win the game.

Bomere Heath enjoyed a convincing win against Madeley to boost their survival hopes. Batting first, they never looked back after posting an impressive 245-9.

Matt Whitley (48), Rob Dean (47), Sam Bloor (40) and Andy Flann (36) got the runs.

Madeley had no answer as the villagers won by 100 runs in the 35th over, leg spinner Henry Preece claiming four wickets.

Fifth-placed Broseley were the latest side to inflict defeat on basement side Forton, winning by five wickets.

Batting first, Forton's struggles to put an innings together were all too apparent as they mustered a modest 111 in 39.4 overs.

No one managed more than Joshua Hodson's 21 runs, as Gavin Daniel (4-30) and Martin Murdoch (3-12) ripped through them.

Broseley weren't without their own struggles with the bat either, and took until the 38th over to reach their target, thanks to Richard Parker's 43 and opener Salim Ahmed's 22 not out.

Frankton moved further away from trouble with a seven-wicket victory over struggling Shelton.

Shelton managed 112 with Chad Hitchcock's 22 their best contributor as Stuart Lammie claimed 4-26.

Scott Hale hit an unbeaten 41 and Thomas Wilkie 31 as Frankton romped home.