Although Tamworth secured their second victory of the weekend in Round Two of the BDPCL County League play-offs by defeating Coventry & N.W. by a thumping margin of 81 runs, they still require a minimum of six bonus points from their third and final match against Old Hill, next Saturday, to secure promotion to Premier Division Two for the 2023 season. Anything less will leave them open to a challenge from Coventry and Old Hill but a victory over the Black Country outfit will leave the way open for Coventry to join them, provided the Warwickshire County League side fulfil their part of the deal by beating winless Whitchurch. Despite losing both their matches, so far, the Shropshire club could, still, qualify alongside Tamworth if they defeat Coventry and Tamworth overcome Old Hill with both the losing sides taking four bonus points or less from their final game. There, also, remains the possibility of a three-way tie at the top if Old Hill prevail against Tamworth at Moseley and Coventry are successful against Whitchurch at Halesowen. Yet another possibility is a three-way tie for the second promotion place if Tamworth defeat Old Hill and Coventry lose to Whitchurch.

A superb batting effort from Tamworth saw the Staffordshire club reach 297 for five, in 50 overs, against Coventry with half-centuries from Ed Smith (85), Stuart Burrows (59 not out) and Jason Jakeman (54). Smith and his opening partner Callum Render (42) began with a stand of 105 before the first wicket fell with Smith registering his second “50” of the weekend in 98 balls but the most belligerent contribution of the day came from Burrows who clubbed seven fours and a six in a whirlwind 35 balls. None of the Coventry attack escaped punishment with Sahej Gabadia the most successful with 2 for 59. In reply, Matthew Iles, also, registered a second half-century in two days but his knock came to an end when he had reached 50. Some late resistance from Marco Higgins (31) and Saddam Hussein (30 not out) added some respectability to the total but, more importantly, ensured that Coventry earned a third batting bonus point which may prove to be crucial. Staffordshire leg-spinner Jakeman took 4 for 27 against his former club but Tamworth, still, have work to do, next Saturday, to ensure that promotion is achieved.

Meanwhile, at Haden Hill, Whitchurch won the toss and invited Old Hill to bat first but they were unable to make early inroads as openers Omar Masood (43) and Waqas Ahmed (35) laid a platform for Ravi Nagra to score a run-a-ball 53. Some strong hitting from Dylan Keeling (42 not out) ensured that Old Hill topped 200 and their final total of 240 for nine was a top effort on a tricky pitch. Kashif Hussein (4 for 35) picked up his second four wicket haul of the weekend and Kunal Dabas took 2 for 34 for the visitors. Despite the loss of two wickets for 40, Whitchurch were ahead on DLS after 20 overs, as light drizzle came down, following a partnership of 55 between Michael Robinson and Birmingham Phoenix batter Evelyn Jones, who was out to a stunning catch by Bilal Hassan for 24 at 95 for three. No other batter that followed reached double figures as Robinson (98) played a lone hand which, eventually, came to an end at 164 for seven. Without Shafiq Ahmed, unable to bat due to a hand injury sustained in the field, the Whitchurch response ended at 169 for nine in the 40th over with two wickets apiece for Old Hill’s Sam Wright and Alex Elsworth.