Birmingham League round-up: Halesowen remain in control at the summit

It was a rain-affected weekend of cricket. But the league leaders scored heavily at home to Berkswell, reaching 246/4 at the end of 32 overs with half-centuries coming from Chris Whittock (87) and Luke Tulacz (54). Alexei Kervezee added a useful 38 not out while Theo Wylie bagged two wickets for the visitors.

Berkswell were in all sorts of trouble at 10/4, but Callum Bennett’s 20 not out was vital as the Warwickshire-based side held on at 43/6. Ed Bragg proved a star with the ball taking 3-15.

Wolverhampton were on the receiving end of a thumping at Ombersley. 

Seamers Gareth Andrew and George Panayi took seven wickets between them to help the Worcestershire side to an emphatic eight-wicket win.

The visitors managed just 99 before being bowled out, skipper Joe Stanley leading the way with 35, which included the only six of the innings.

Andrew claimed 4-49 from his 14 overs and former England under-19 ace Panayi took 3-30 from his 11 with Henry Hawes, Nathan Bowley and Tom Hinley all taking a wicket apiece.

Sam Ellis had opener Tom Hinley caught behind in the first over of the reply, but unbeaten knocks from Declan Lines (24no) and Seth Essenhigh (32no) were sufficient to ease Ombersley to victory in the 21st over.

Smethwick picked up a losing draw away at Barnt Green. The hosts made 156-6 from 31 overs with Kadeer Ali, Yasir Ali and Deepak Khatri taking two wickets each for the visitors. 

Khatri’s 35 was then enough to help Smethwick cling onto a draw as they reached 96-6 from 27 overs after further intervention from the weather. 

Himley picked up a losing draw away at Harborne - managing to collect 10 points to help their quest of staying in the division. 

With Harborne batting first, they reached 182/9 from their 25 overs, Ollie Walker took 3-48.

Oliver Westbury (65*) helped them cling on for a losing draw, having reached 128/6.

In Division Two, Stourbridge are joint top with Dorridge after a remarkable win at Shifnal. 

The omens did not look good for Stourbridge when they were dismissed for just 80, Dominic O’Reilly top scoring with 20. 

But any hopes Shifnal had of causing an upset were undone by the bowling of Dan Wale (5-31) and Jaspreet Singh (5-20), who scythed through the batting line-up to have their hosts back in the pavilion for just 53, 27 runs short of their target.

West Brom Dartmouth picked up 15 points from their draw with Handsworth. The home side made 183-7 from 30 overs and Handsworth were 109-1 in reply when rain brought an early end to proceedings. 

Old Hill had put on 214/9 before their contest with Dorridge was cut short with the visitors on 98/1.

Opener Hasan Ahmed scored 57 off just 38 balls while for Dorridge, former Warwickshire youngster Daniyal Khan was unbeaten at the close on 57 off 41 deliveries.

Kidderminster’s match at Kenilworth Wardens was abandoned without a ball being bowled.