In Premier Division Two, the match between Bromsgrove and Lichfield was decided from the last ball with newcomers to this level, Lichfield, triumphing by six wickets after, successfully, chasing down a Bromsgrove total of 247 for six. Ashley Newfield hit an unbeaten 122 for the Worcestershire club but his efforts were in vain, as Stuart Fielding (91), Leicestershire’s Ben Mike (66) and Brinder Phagura (46 not out) continued Lichfield’s fine start to the season. The only other side in the division with 100% record at this early stage is Bridgnorth who travelled to Barnards Green and came away with a four-wicket success. Oliver Rogoff (64), Oliver Halion (48) and Zain Ul-Hassan (45) helped Barnards Green to 261 for nine from 50 overs with three wickets apiece for Sam Baugh (3 for 34) and Sam Whitney (3 for 59). Bridgnorth’s reply began quietly after losing their first two wickets for 16 but Staffordshire’s Michael Hill, soon, picked up the pace, finishing unbeaten on 138 from 124 balls, as his new side romped to victory. During his innings, he struck 21 boundaries and two sixes and received staunch support from Shropshire’s Matty Simmonds who scored 50 from 54 balls. Hill and Simmonds will be on opposing sides tomorrow when Shropshire meet Staffordshire at Whitchurch in two Twenty20 matches. West Bromwich Dartmouth’s first ever visit to Wem for a League match ended in a crushing eight wicket defeat after the Sandwell Park side collapsed to 75 all out in 28 overs. Opening bowler Andrew Harrison took 5 for 35 for Wem who went on to complete a routine victory with 30 from Josh Gough and 28 not out from Sam Peate. Worfield’s first visit to Wolverhampton for a League match, also, ended in a heavy defeat after they were shot out for 58 in response to the Danescourt side’s 268 for five. Warrick Fynn (124) registered his maiden League ton for Wolverhampton and Ramanjot Jaswal added 53. Basit Zaman provided some relief for Worfield with 3 for 29 but he and his team-mates had no answer to Worcestershire seamer Adam Finch who ripped through the Shropshire side’s top order to finish with five wickets for nine runs in 7.1 overs.

Walsall’s tough start to the season, which began with defeat to Kenilworth Wardens in the Graham Williamson Trophy, followed by a loss at Bridgnorth in the opening League game, saw them face a confident Himley side, strengthened by the inclusion of Northamptonshire left-arm spinner Graeme White at Gorway. After losing the toss, Walsall were invited to bat first but soon lost Warwickshire’s Chris Benjamin for nine. Amit John hit a pleasant 31 but it was Indian Overseas Player Om Bhosale who held the innings together with a cultured 95 from 108 balls. This enabled Walsall, missing two of their leading bowlers Ravan Chahal and Sunny Singh, to set a defendable total of 205 even though eight of their batters failed to reach double figures. Off-spinner Ben Robinson took 3 for 25 for Himley but the visitors crumbled to 45 for five, then 71 for seven in pursuit of their target. Opening bowlers Jordan Bulpitt (5 for 27) and James Rogers (3 for 43) did all the early damage before returning to wrap up the tail as Himley were all out for 125 in 37 overs. Adam Passmore top scored with 23 but his defiance was ended after facing 65 balls by Bulpitt’s first delivery after his return to the attack for a second spell. In a match between two Warwickshire sides at Harborne, visitors Dorridge were invited to bat first and were bowled out for 194 in 45 overs. Opening batter Luke James top scored with 54 but Dorridge lost their last nine wickets for 101 runs after James and Joe Dodd (32) had given them a solid start. Scotland Under 19 international Oliver Davidson took 4 for 15 and George Land picked up 3 for 16 for Harborne who were indebted to Karan Bharaj (45) for setting up a victory that was closed out by Tom Arnold (31 not out) and Tejas Wagle (24 not out).