Leaders Milford survive a major scare to stay top

The leaders looked comfortably on course for a seventh win in eight matches when they bowled out the hosts for just 84.

But the reply proved far from straightforward and a shock defeat appeared on the cards when the visitors lost four wickets for nine runs and collapsed from 70-5 to 79-9.

Last pair Ejaz Nawaz and Kevin Royce held their nerve to edge Milford over the line and maintain a 13-point lead over Tamworth at the top.

Chris Dean had earlier claimed 5-25 with the ball as Hammerwich, who at one stage were 59-0, lost all 10 wickets for just 25 runs.

While Beacon remain third after a weekend without playing, Penkridge lost ground on the leaders when they were beaten by four wickets at Brewood.

Put into bat, Penkridge openers Paul Szewcyk and Ishaq Mohammed appeared to have laid decent foundations with a first-wicket stand of 61, but the top order then collapsed as William Marsh claimed four wickets in quick succession.

The visitors were eventually dismissed for 135 and though the hosts suffered an early blow when Stephen Wyle was dismissed just four balls into the reply, Tim Maxfield’s 65 laid the foundations for a successful chase.

Lichfield and Fordhouses remain fifth and sixth respectively after their match was cancelled due to a member of the latter club testing positive for Covid-19.

Wolverhampton remain ninth in the standings after falling short by 39 runs in their attempt to chase down 217 against Tamworth.

Elsewhere, there was a welcome win for Wombourne at fellow strugglers Old Wulfrunians Tettenhall. Ben Jewkes claimed 5-20 for the visitors as the hosts were dismissed for 106 in 30.3 overs.

Wombourne have regularly struggled with the bat this season meaning the chase was always going to be a nervy one, Tom Elwell scoring an unbeaten 29 to help his team over the line.