South Staffs cricket round-up: Milford continue excellent form
Milford Hall picked up their ninth win of the season after a 51-run triumph over Penkridge in the South Staffordshire County Cricket League.
The Premier Division league leaders were put in to bat by Penkridge skipper Jack Pope, and they made 214 before they were bowled out in the final over of their innings.
Niall McHale was the star batter for the visitors as he made 68 from 99 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes. He was well supported by former Leicestershire seamer Will Davis (51).
Myles Davis shone with the ball for the home side. He took 5-51 from the 14 overs and three balls he delivered.
Penkridge were soon in trouble during the chase at 95-6. Dean Lones, who came in at nine, top-scored as they were bowled for 163. Davis took 4-40 while Aaron Afford took 3-52.
Hammerwich, who are second, also picked up a 24-point win at the weekend after they beat Cannock by 146 runs.
Batting first, Scott Elstone guided them to 228-9 from their allocation of overs, thanks to his 64 from 87 balls.
At no point did Cannock look like getting those runs as they were bowled out for 82 in the 30th over of their innings. Hasnain Nawaz was the star with the ball for the visitors as he took 6-16.
Fordhouses lost ground on the top two with a disappointing defeat against mid-table Wombourne.
Half centuries from Chad Brandrick (56) and Jack Hussey (53) got Wombourne off to a steady start, but Michael Hill added real impetus when he came to the crease with his 55 from 41 balls. This guided them to 248 all out.
Wombourne were good with the ball as their opening bowlers Charlie Walker (4-44) and Ollie Siviter (5-69) ripped through the Fordhouses batting line-up as they were skittled for 180.
Beacon are in fourth place, just six points behind Fordhouses, and they picked up a 76-run win at Lichfield. They were bowled out for 174 with only captain Dan Green making it past 50.
In the end, Lichfield got nowhere near the intended target as they were bowled out for 98. The wickets were shared around for Beacon as Joshua Chesworth, Jake Cartwright and Stephen Blews all picked up two apiece. Jack Stanier had the best figures, he returned with 3-15.
Pelsall and Walsall are both well clear of the drop zone, and they played out another low-scoring affair at the weekend.
Pelsall were bowled out for 159 batting first, with Anaesh Patel taking 3-22. In the reply, Smit Mehta was on fire with the ball as he took 5-23 to bowl the hosts out for 102. Pelsall took 24 points from the match, with Walsall collecting just four.
The match between Tamworth seconds and Wolverhampton seconds ended in a draw. Tamworth made 283-7 batting first. That was largely thanks to Daniel Baker, who made 110. But they were unable to bowl the home side out in the reply as they ended up 260-9. Oliver Margetts, Hassan Quami and James Turner all made it past 50 as they held on for a draw.
