Birmingham League: Leaders compile mammoth score to take step nearer title

The Division One leaders and reigning champions compiled a massive 426-6, the largest total of the season so far, on route to claiming a 155-run win over their relegation-threatened visitors.

Monday’s victory means they have a 19-point lead over second-placed Shrewsbury and head into this weekend’s top-of-the-table showdown at Broomfield knowing a win over their closest challengers would all but secure a third title in four seasons.

Opener Rajpal Beniwal led the way after visitors Himley won the toss and opted to field, his 150 from just 104 balls containing no fewer than 28 boundaries.

Deepak Khatri continued the onslaught with 97 from 59 balls, falling just short of his fourth century of the season, while there were also 50s for Gurbaj Singh and Bilal Shafayat. Himley used eight bowlers in total in a vain attempt to slow the torrent of runs.

Khatri then removed visiting skipper Ollie Walker for a duck at the start of the reply and though Connor Smith showed some resistance with an impressive 71, Smethwick’s mammoth total was always going to be too much. Himley eventually finished on 271-9.

Despite the heavy margin of defeat, their steady batting display was enough to cut their gap to safety in half to three points after fellow strugglers Wolverhampton were thumped by 207 runs at home to Shrewsbury.

Dan Humes scored an unbeaten 129 from just 94 balls for the visitors, who reached 337-6 from their 50 overs having chosen to bat.

Wolves’ reply was soon in trouble at 31-3 and though skipper Joe Stanley played well in scoring 67, he had nothing in the way of support as his team were bowled out for just 130.

Halesowen sit third in the table after a big win away to Barnt Green.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the visitors reached 241-7 thanks to a solid team display which saw seven batters pass 20 but none get beyond 40.

Eddie Rhodes and James Rudge then claimed three wickets each as the hosts were blasted out for just 70 in fewer than 18 overs.

In Division Two, Old Hill eased relegation fears with a thumping eight-wicket win at home to Kidderminster.

Brilliant seam bowling from Aamir Manzoor (4-35) and Sam Keeling-Wright (3-55) soon had the visitors, who had chosen to bat after winning the toss, reeling at 28-5.

Only some brisk lower hitting helped them reach 115 before Saad Naseem took 3-10 to mop up the tail. Naseem then followed it up with an unbeaten 46, with Waqas Ahmed hitting 50 as Old Hill reached the target in 17 overs.

West Bromwich Dartmouth won by seven wickets at home to Tamworth to keep alive their slim hopes of promotion.

Tim Maxfield took four wickets as the visitors were bowled out for 230, with Dartmouth openers Danny Cox (84) and Bruce Thomason (79) then putting on 130 to break the back of the chase.

Stourbridge remain fifth after going down by 49 runs at home to Worfield. Chasing 332 to win, the hosts were 280-6 before losing their final four wickets for just two runs. Bilal Hussain top scored for Stour with 75.