Staffs Clubs: Walsall bowlers shine as Tamworth skittled for just 32

Fordhouses resumed their march toward the South Staffordshire Cricket League title with a 60-run win over Cannock.

The Premier Division leaders rebounded from suffering their first defeat of the summer against Brewood the previous weekend with a hard-fought victory against solid opponents.

Opener Niall Cooper’s 84 helped set up their total of 256-9 from 50 overs, with four wickets from Adil Amin ensuring Cannock remained well in the match at the midway point.

They were then arguably favourites when a century partnership between skipper Adam Benton (82) and Muhammed Sultan (48) saw them recover from 48-4.

But from 167-4, the final six wickets fell for just 29 runs as the Peat brothers, Adam and Lewis, tore through the middle and lower order.

Adam finished with four wickets and Lewis three as Fordhouses maintained their 65-point lead at the top, with now just six matches to play.

Walsall ensured the gap did not grow any larger as they produced the best bowling performance of the season to dismiss Tamworth for just 32.

The match looked evenly poised at the break after 52 from Asif Rajah had helped Walsall reached 234-8.

Yet Tamworth’s reply got off to the worst possible start when James Tomson was run out off the first ball and the rest of the innings was over in a flash.

Myles Botfield top scored with nine and Mohammed Yousuf and Hashim Iqbal took three wickets apiece as the visitors posted one of the lowest totals in league history.

Wombourne are level with Walsall in the battle to be best of the rest after an impressive win of their own at Penkridge.

Amaan Hassan’s excellent 117 formed the backbone to the home side’s 246, though they were kept in check by a visiting bowling unit for whom Ben Thomas (5-55) was the star.

Michael Hill then matched Hassan with a century of his own as Wombourne timed the chase to near perfection.

He finished on 103 not out following an unbroken stand of 115 with skipper Zach Smith (49 not out), with the visitors winning by seven wickets with nine balls to spare.

Brewood continued their resurgence and opened up a 20-point cushion over the relegation zone with a four-wicket win over Hammerwich.

John Redrup and Oliver Siviter took three wickets each as the visitors were bowled out for just 140.

Brewood lost opener Nikhil Vaidya to a golden duck but from 74-4, were guided home by Parminder Singh’s unbeaten 41 from 48 balls.

Victory saw Brewood pull further clear of Wolverhampton seconds, who saw their survival hopes hit by a 122-run defeat at bottom side Old Wulfrunians Tettenhall.

Kevin Renecke struck an unbeaten 109 as Old Wulfs, who had won just once all summer prior to Saturday, compiled 254-9.

Wolverhampton reached 104-3 in reply before Aaron Patel removed their top scorer Oisin Singh, for 57, prompting a collapse which saw the final seven wickets fall for just 18 runs. Patel finished with figures of 4-17.

Beacon remain in striking distance of second place after a 70-run win over Pelsall.

Skipper Dan Green’s unbeaten 93 helped them recover from 68-5 to post 217-7 from 50 overs.

Jake Cartwright and Kavishka Gamage then took three wickets each as Pelsall were bowled out for 147.