Shifnal back on track with derby day win

The Division One showdown at Orleton Park proved to be a one-side affair as Shifnal eased to a seven-wicket success.

Having tasted defeat against Himley the week before, Shifnal were back on song with an impressive all-round display.

Wellington has reached 77-3 but then lost their last seven wickets for 50 runs as they collapsed to 127 all out.

Samit Gohil fought a lone battle for the hosts with 47 but they had no answer to Shifnal duo Charlie Home (4-31) and Ross Aucott (3-32) who led the way with the ball.

Home then hit 37 in an opening stand off 77 with Steve Leach (36) to set Shifnal on their way to a comfortable victory that leaves them 12 points behind leaders Moseley.

Wellington are just one place above the relegation zone.

Skipper Sam Witney led by example as Bridgnorth continued their charge up the table with a crushing 10-wicket victory over Walmley at Cricket Meadow.

Whitney shone with bat and ball to helps his side climb up to fourth in the standings with their fourth win in six games.

After opting to bat first, Walmley were shot out for just 94.

Charlie Morris (2-9) and David Exall (2-39) made early inroads into the visitors’ batting line up before Whitney took centre stage with a superb spell that earned him figures of 5-16 from 12 overs.

Bridgnorth then breezed home with openers Whitney (44 not out) and Ian Gregory (48 not out) knocking off the runs inside 15 overs.

Shrewsbury were knocked off top spot in the Premier Division after a losing draw against defending champions Berkswell.

After asking their hosts to bat, Shrewsbury saw them post 247-9 from their 55 overs.

Chris Whittock was the mainstay of the Berkswell innings and was only denied a century when he was unluckily run out at the non-striker’s end for 99.

James Hulton-Harrop was the pick of the Shrewsbury attack with 3-80 while Olly Westbury and Mike Barnard both picked up two wickets.

Shrewsbury then looked to be heading for defeat as they slumped to 25-4 in response and then 63-5.

But Australian Tim Ward and the experienced Rob Foster then joined forces to check Berkswell’s push for victory.

The duo combined for a sixth-wicket stand of 116 with Ward making 81 and Foster 58 as Shrewsbury ended on 204-7 and slipped down to second behind Knowle & Dorridge.

n In the ECB National Club Championship group final, Shrewsbury lost out in the final over to Wolverhampton, who successfully chased down their hosts’ score of 223-5.

Wolverhampton won by four wickets with three balls to spare after making good progress through the innings, with a knock of 54 not out from Will Nield proving decisive in seeing them to their target. The visitors had put Shrewsbury in to bat with Ed Foster’s 84 the highlight for the home side, while Henry Blofield added 56.