A stunning six-wicket haul from Jamie Holmes spared leaders Pelsall’s blushes as they pulled off an unlikely victory over Bloxwich.

Pelsall struggled with the damp conditions and were bowled out for the meagre total of 88.

But Holmes (6-29) and Leigh Parsons (3-25) were in irresistible form with the ball as Bloxwich skittled for just 63 – handing Richard Cooper’s men a 25-run victory.

Cooper was proud of his side for the way they fought back.

He said: “We showed great character,. I told them after the first innings that, if we want to be there at the end of the season, this is the time where we need to show our credentials.”

It was another narrow win for the table-toppers, but Cooper insists he’ll settle for more of the same so long as they get the result – starting at Hammerwich on Saturday.

He added: “They’ve certainly wracked my nerves of late but the main thing is we keep winning.”

Matt Langston is looking for some “bouncebackability” from his Bloxwich troops this weekend.

Having been sunk by Pelsall, another of the title pretenders, Brewood, are next up for Bloxwich.

He said; “We have lost two games on the trot now and need to show some bouncebackability.

“It will be a tough game but we need to try and get back to winning ways.”

Bloxwich had reached 24-0 in reply against Pelsall, but collapsed for 63.

Langston added: “It was a bit of challenging wicket, but in fairness both sides bowled well.

“It was a test of patience and no-one apart from Iqbal Masood, who scored 25, really applied themselves.”

In-form Wednesbury are eyeing a push for glory as the title race turns for home.

Wednesbury reached the halfway stage of the season in fifth place and 50 points behind leaders Pelsall, following Saturday’s winning draw against Aldridge.

That result followed two successive victories and now skipper Craig Cartwright has challenged his men to  maintain that form.

He said: “I think it’s still all to play for at the top of the table. Anyone in the top six is still in with a shout.

“We are now starting the reverse fixtures and with 25 points for a win things can change.

“It was another good performance on Saturday. We have put together two wins and a winning draw on the bounce now and we need to maintain that sort of form.”

Wajid Niazi with 91 and Neil Whistance on 64 led the way as Wednesbury rattled up 241-3 against Aldridge.

But any hopes Wednesbury had of landing a victory where ended by an unbeaten 66 from Imran Jamshed as Aldridge ended on 186-7.