Fordhouses continue march towards South Staffs Cricket League title - round-up

Fordhouses continued their seemingly unstoppable march towards the South Staffordshire Cricket League title with victory over Wombourne.

The runaway leaders claimed 20 points with victory despite struggling with the bat after being put in at Wombourne, with Keshan Wijerathne starring with bat and ball.

Sri Lankan ace Wijerathne was the only man to make 50 for Fordhouses as they posted a modest-looking 226 all out from their 50 overs, with Ben Jewkes and Matthew Uglow taking three wickets apiece for Wombourne.

However, the leaders had their bowlers to thank as Wombourne were bowled out for 173 in 33 overs, with Charlie Walker top-scoring with an unbeaten 48. Wijerathne ripped though the Wombourne middle order, taking four wickets for 11 runs from four overs. Wombourne claimed six points, which saw them drop to third place after Walsall moved ahead of them by a single point after a defeat of their own at Hammerwich.

The Hammers posted a daunting 353/8 with Imran Qadir smashing 125 and Callum Broderick bludgeoning 162 from 121 balls. Daniel Betty responded with 106 for Walsall as they made a decent fist of the chase before eventually being bowled out for 313 from 47.2 overs.

Beacon are fourth after a comprehensive home win over strugglers Brewood, who hover just above the drop zone. Brewood laboured to 189/9 from their 50 overs after being put in to bat before Beacon eased to their target with seven wickets and more than 12 overs to spare.

Brewood remain above the relegation zone after Wolverhampton seconds were crushed at Penkridge in a 207-run defeat. Penkridge posted 303 before skittling the visitors for 96 in 29 overs.

Bottom side Old Wulfrunians Tettenhall gave themselves a glimmer of hope with a tense win at Pelsall. Having posted 241/7, including a skipper’s knock of 80 not out by Kevin Renecke, their bowlers made life tough for the hosts.

Despite Tom Wright, Jamie Bye and Ahsan Akbar all making half-centuries, Pelsall struggled to reach the target, and needing three to win off the last ball, they had Jack Portsmouth caught out.

Cannock are sixth after losing by 56 runs to Tamworth seconds – with Joe Seager and Stuart Burrows hitting centuries before Kieran Wordsworth crashed an incredible 82 off just 28 balls.