Getting tight at the top of the Furrows Mid-week League
The race for the Furrows East Shropshire Evening League Division One title took another twist this week as defending champions St Georges beat long-time pace setters Church Eaton Knights.
With Forton in the mix for the title, much will depend on catch-up games which need to be played.
Forton are currently top with 125 points but have played nine games, Church Eaton are in second with 114 points from seven games, with St Georges in third on 91 points from six games.
Batting first in their game this week at Church Eaton, St Georges were bowled out for 146 with Thomas Keeble hitting 30 and Muhammad Raheel Khattak 37.
For the hosts Harvey Sidwell, Elliot Robinson, Richard West and Robert Hogarth all claimed two wickets apiece.
Some tight bowling from the Dragons then restricted the Knights to 124-7 with Khattak leading the way with 2-14 from his four overs.
Michael Holdcroft (26), Nathan Harris (23), Robinson (24) and Archie Wilkes (24 not out) all got starts but couldn’t go on to get the big score.
Allscott Heath picked up the second win of the campaign in a high-scoring game against visitors Harpers.
Batting first, both Harpers openers Chitti Arumilli and Rama Chaitanya Bammidi made half centuries before retiring and Vivian John hit 37 as they finished their 20 overs on 168-2.
It was a similar story in the Allscott innings with bat dominating the ball as Max Ferrington (53) and Jack Twigger (55) bot reached their half centuries before retiring.
Matthew Hutchings also made 30 as they reached their victory target with four balls to spare.
In Division Two, leaders Codsall returned to winning ways after defeat last week with a thrilling three run victory over Albrighton.
It all came down to the final ball with all results possible and the hosts needing four runs to claim the win.
Monti Kunner was the bowler and it was his spell that proved decisive as he took 4-22 including a wicket off the final ball of the game to ensure the win for Codsall.
Earlier Codsall had made 158-8 from their 20 overs with Kunner hitting 31 and Sam Shepherd 30 not out while Phil Snape claimed 3-17.
The Albrighton reply was held together by Sam Wood who made an unbeaten 51 before retiring while Ben Glendinning chipped in with 21 before the late drama as they finished on 155.
Newport maintained their second place in the table with a 33-run victory when they travelled to Wheaton Aston.
Batting first, they finished their innings on 196-6 with skipper Ryan Jones hitting an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls, Swapnil Mundra 40 off 26 balls and B Baker 30.
Oliver Wilson led the way in the reply taking 4-29 with Pankaj Shah picking up a couple of wickets as the hosts were restricted to 163.
Broseley also enjoyed their day with the bat when they hosted Lilleshall at The Stocking.
Batting first the visitors posted143-6 from their 20 overs with Adam Binfield hitting an unbeaten 43 and G Wagstaff chipping in with 31. Tom Holcroft and Brandon Platt picked up two wickets apiece.
Broseley cruised to a nine-wicket victory with three overs to spare with Fin Welch hitting 42, Sam Murdoch an unbeaten 41 and Dan Handley 29 not out.
Lilleshall did pick up a victory when they travelled to Albrighton to play a catch-up game later in the week.
Batting first they 163-5 from their 20 overs with Binfield again leading the way with 49 before he was run out.
Albrighton replied with 155-7 with David Watkins hitting 34 and Sam Wood 22 to leave the Monument Men the winners by eight runs. Mark Binfield claimed 2-29 and Parker Evans 2-25.