Division One

The return of win/lose white ball cricket saw Shrewsbury’s surge up the table continue as they chalked up a 73-run victory at a Barnt Green side who last tasted victory at the start of July.

Shropshire's George Hargrave was the catalyst, smashing 135 off just 98 balls including ten 4s and ten 6s. He was supported by Rhodri Evans (41) while Seb Scott was still there at the end unbeaten on 43 as Shrewsbury made 274 all out. Robbie Shurmer (3-35) and Jacques Banton (2-26) were the pick of the bowlers.

The home side soon fell behind the run rate with opener Ed Pollock (47) the only batter to make any impression against some tidy bowling as they were skittled out for 201. Harry Darley took 1-14 from six overs but the main wicket-takers were Sam Whitney (4-45) and Peter Clark (3-34).

Last season's Division Two champions are now clear in third place, 19 points adrift of leaders Smethwick who racked up the runs on their way to victory against Barnards Green. Winning the toss and electing to bat, the Black Country side made 338/6 from their 50 overs inspired by Indian all-rounder Deepak Khatri who hit a magnificent 152 off 91 balls including 15 4s and eights 6s.

There was also a useful 61 from Viken Kedariya with the big-hitters putting on 110 for the fourth wicket. Chris Steele took two wickets.

Faced with such a huge total, Barnards Green could have done without losing Francis Moore with only one run on the board but they rallied and a century from former Worcestershire and Leicestershire all-rounder George Rhodes gave them hope. 

However, with Usman Tahir taking 3-50 and Gurbaj Singh 2-49, the visitors eventually slumped to 266 all out, 72 runs shy of their target.

Knowle & Dorridge are still in second following their 120-run defeat of Berkswell. Half-centuries from Neil Pinner (76), Alex Phillips (57) and Isaac Maddy (51) helped the hosts to 289/9 with Naim Luhar finishing with 3-47. Pinner was then among the wickets, taking 3-18 as Berkswell were dismissed for 169. Ethan Wragg (54) was the only batsman to make a meaningful contribution.

Moseley won their basement battle with Wolverhampton by 34 runs after a 128-run partnership between Mahsen Mohamed Narvel (78) and Hishaam Khan (74no) helping them to 305/5. There were also half-centuries for openers Jakob Bhula (53) and Keith Barker (51) while Reeve Evitts took 3-45 for Wolverhampton. In response, Staffordshire all-rounder Evitts hit 108 and Ramanjot Jaswal 72 to help Wolverhampton to 171/2 but the visitors faltered and were eventually dismissed for 271 with Khan taking 3-52 and Yadvinder Singh 3-36.

In the other Division One games, Harborne beat high-fliers Halesowen by 44 runs and Ombersley beat Himley by 54 runs. Harborne were skittled for 166 but that proved enough as Mike Bevan (4-17) and Andrew Sutton (3-37) scythed through their visitors.

And fine knocks from Vriitya Aravind (95) and Yusuf Khalil (79) guided Ombersley to 274 which was more than enough to see off Himley for whom opener Ollie Walker scored 91.

Division Two

There seems to be no stopping league leaders Kenilworth Wardens as they bagged their fourth win on the bounce, a 26-run win at title outsiders Tamworth.

The top order all made runs led by Pakistani all-rounder Ali Zaryab who made 68 with fellow opener Nick Seager adding 55 and Levi Gekis 47. Others failed to deal with some excellent bowling from Jacob Flower (5-57) and James Cooper (3-48) and the leaders were dismissed for 263.

Tamworth struggled early on and were reduced to 35/3 as Ben Blakemore starred with the ball, taking 5-51. Jason Jakeman (64) and Riley Ward (88) steadied the innings but they were all out for 237.

Dorridge remain 16 points adrift after they chalked up a 47-run victory at Stourbridge helped by two century partnerships at the top of their innings. Openers Luke Horgan (62) and Nabeel Mahmood (102) put on 111 before the latter then linked with acting skipper Daniyal Khan (71) to add 123 for the second wicket. The title hopefuls were on 283/6 at the end of their overs with Dan Wale the pick of the bowlers having picked up 4-52.

Stourbridge were then all out for 236 with Imaad Mahmood taking 4-42. Dominic O’Reilly was still there at the end on 51 not out from just 30 deliveries.

In a game with big relegation battle relevance, resurgent Kidderminster were convincing 88-run winners at Coventry & North Warwickshire. Opener Harry Sockett’s 75 was the perfect foundation for the visitors but they failed to take advantage and were all out for 216 as Sameer Vohra finished with 4-45.

But those figures were promptly trumped by Kidderminster’s Worcestershire prospect Dan Lategan who took 4-6 from 4.3 overs and Dylan Griffiths who captured 4-37 to have their hosts back in the pavilion for just 128.

Runs also proved hard to come by for Shifnal who were skittled for 132 at home to Leamington. Skipper Charlie Home top scored with 46 while Rashawn Worrell dazzled with 3-10 and Tom Bate took 3-33. In reply, the visitors cruised to victory in the 31st over, reaching 136/4 with Barbados ace Worrell (45) leading the chase assisted by a handy 31 from fellow opener Harrison Smith (pictured).

There was no shortage of runs at Haden Hill where Old Hill and visitors Handsworth amassed nearly 700 between them. Top of the class for the hosts was outstanding Pakistani pro Saad Naseem who smashed a mighty 122 off only 67 balls with 14 4s and six 6s. There was also a century from skipper Hasan Ahmed (113) as Old Hill made 342. There were no centuries from the visitors but they made good progress towards their mountainous target with BDPCL League XI keeper Rohel Peters (84) and Recordo Gordon (52) the pick of the batters as they reached 345/8.

Finally, West Bromwich Dartmouth kept in touch with the leading pair thanks to a five-wicket home win over Worfield. Aman Hussain’s 72 helped the visitors to 202 all out, Aaron Patel taking 4-62, but an unbeaten 61 from Ateeq Javid helped guide Dartmouth to the finish line at 205/5.