Shrewsbury back on top form again
Shrewsbury returned to top spot in the Birmingham Cricket League Premier Division after thrashing strugglers Dorridge.
The Shropshire side had lost their place at the summit after playing out a losing draw against defending champions Berkswell.
But Ben Stebbings’ side returned to form in impressive fashion on Saturday – despite seeing opener Oliver Westbury dismissed for 19.
Will Parton hit an emphatic 105 from just 103 balls with Ed Foster grabbing 92 as the London Road outfit rattled up 292-6 from their 55 overs.
James Ayres posted the best bowling figures for visitors Dorridge with 3-57.
But the West Midlands outfit then struggled with the bat and folded to 116 all out in replay.
After an indifferent spell with the bat, Shrewsbury’s Westbury impressed with the ball taking four wickets for just 13 runs.
Michael Barnard posted figures of 3-32 with Shrewsbury now set for a intriguing clash at third-placed Knowle & Dorridge this weekend.
In division one, Shifnal also regained their place at the top of the table even though they were held to a draw by Walmley.
All-rounder Jack McIver hit seven fours and eight sixes in his unbeaten innings of 116 as the Shropshire side reached 270-7.
In reply, opener Charlie Home scored 59 while Warwickshire’s Aaron Thomason took 3-69 as the visitors meandered to 186 in their 55 overs.
Elsewhere in the division, Bridgnorth have climbed up to fourth after an eight-wicket home win against Barnards Green.
David Exall (5-52) and Sam Whitney (5-53) shared the wickets for the Cricket Meadow outfit after Barnard’s Green were bowled out for 136.
Simon Gregory then hit an unbeaten 74 from 42 balls to ease Bridgnorth to victory in an unbroken third wicket partnership of 109 with Ryan Lockley (34no).
There was, however, last-gasp disappointment for Wellington as they fell to a final ball defeat at Smethwick.
Wendell Wagner recorded figures of 3-51 from 17 overs as the Telford-based side reduced the hosts to 195-8. Smethwick were reliant on Mo Sheikh (82) and Amrinder Brar (55no) for the bulk of their runs.
But despite an impressive 46 from Dan Lloyd, Wellington succumbed to the last ball of the game from Gurinder Singh (4-53) as they ended the day 169 all out.
