South Staffs round-up: Milford Hall take huge stride towards title with vital win

The two sides have led the way at the top of the division for the vast majority of the season, but now Milford take a 15-point advantage into the final game of the campaign after their three-wicket victory when the teams met last weekend.

With the title and potential promotion to the Birmingham League on the line, the hosts, Hammerwich, won the toss and elected to bat first.

They were reduced to 12-2 but recovered to reach 101-3 before Jordan Bulpitt took 4-22 to rip through their lower middle order.

Callum Brodrick top-scored for Hammerwich with 40 from 71 balls, but they were bowled out for 153.

Milford started well in reply, making it to 49 without loss. They were then reduced to 66-3 giving Hammerwich a glimmer of hope.

But the experienced Ibbadat Thaman guided his side over the line with 37 not out from 48 balls. They reached the total with seven wickets down.

Milford host Cannock on the final weekend of the season, while Hammerwich make the trip to Wombourne.

Fordhouses are comfortably sat in third place. They won at Walsall at the weekend.

The home side batted first and made 208-8 from their allocation. Alex Hammond made 50 from 71 balls while William Mashinge made 39. Awais Kurshid took 3-26 for Fordhouses.

Saqib Akbar’s 61 not out alongside Matthew Gallear’s 43 not out guided their side to victory.

At the other end of the table, relegated Lichfield were beaten by 96 runs at home against Wombourne.

Chad Brandrick made 96 as the visitors scored 267-7. Ben Thomas then took 4-34 for Wombourne as Lichfield were bowled out for 171.  

Penkridge and Pelsall are both comfortably in the middle of the table, yet Penkridge were the victors in their dead rubber clash.

They were put into bat by the visitors, and Mark Pearse made 81 from 77 balls before they were bowled out for 214 in the final over of their innings.

The wickets were shared out for Pelsall. Smit Mehta took 3-49 from his 10 overs while the ever-reliable Jamie Holmes took 3-19 from his allocation.

The home side never got going in reply and were soon reduced to 25-4, which put a dent in the chase.

The wickets continued to tumble, and they were bowled out for 104 with only Peter Stevens providing any resistance. He managed 44 from 58 balls.

Myles Davis was the pick with the ball for Penkridge as he returned figures of 4-16. He was well-supported by Shanuk Perera, who picked up 3-30.

Wolverhampton’s second team were put to the sword by Beacon. Wolves have been relegated, and they were hammered by mid-table Beacon.

Dan Green’s side have had a steady season and they put Wolves into bat at the weekend.

Jake Cartwright took 6-23 from his nine overs while Green, who opened the bowling, took 2-12 from 10 overs. Wolves ended up 62 all out.

Beacon then knocked off the required runs in the eighth over with Green making 16 from eight balls, and Josh Thomas making 29 from 20. Beacon’s season ends with a home clash against Walsall.