SHREWSBURY inched ahead of Berkswell in the race for the Birmingham and District Cricket League Premier Division title following a 24-point victory over Ombersley.

A determined batting effort, after losing the toss, saw them to 230 all out with important contributions from Steve Leach (44), Stephen Barnard (37) and Ed Foster (34).

Neil Slade (4-60) and skipper Arti Fiaz (4-67) were the pick of the bowlers for an understrength Ombersley side, who collapsed to 75 all out in reply with Sam Griffiths (4-28) and Stephen Barnard (4-32) sharing eight wickets, including four caught by Henry Blofield.

Chris Harwood (41) fought a lone battle for Ombersley, who remain fourth in the table.

Barnt Green scrambled to a one-wicket success against Knowle and Dorridge, who were dismissed for 229 with half-centuries from Alex Keath (54), Ben Brookes (53) and Sam Reddish (50).

A superb bowling performance from Alastair Pollock (5-31), well supported by Luke Radford (3-56), kept the free-scoring hosts in check but at 97-5 in response victory looked a long way off for Green.

They were put back on course by Andy Sutton (52) and Radford (34) after Sam Cheshire opened up with 40 and Ed Pollock also scored 40.

At 213-9, the game swung back in Knowle's favour but an undefeated last-wicket stand of 20 between Rob Wigley (19 not out) and Darrell Williams (11no) saw Green to a thrilling victory.

Brockhampton crumbled to a 43-run defeat at Walmley, who recovered from 153-9 to reach 194 all out and then dismissed the visitors for 151.

The rearguard action was led by skipper Kasir Shah (39) after Tom Burton (49) and Jamie Harrison (38) added 78 for the third wicket with Jamie McIlroy (3-37) and Chris Boroughs (3-66) sharing six wickets for the visitors.

Burton backed up his efforts with 6-31 for Walmley as they moved back into the top half of the table.

Kenilworth Wardens won their third match on the spin at Kidderminster Victoria after the home side reached 217-9 thanks to 41 from Andrew Kimberlin.

Udit Talati took 4-46 for Wardens, who were indebted to a fourth-wicket stand of 98 between Sitanshu Kotak (87) and Martin Donald (71no) for the win.

Connor Smith (3-51) was the most successful bowler for Kidderminster, who continue to fall away from the top of the table they led for the first seven games of the season.

In Division One, early-season contenders Bromsgrove fell to a seven-wicket defeat at Barnards Green, who went up to fifth place.

Despite solid contributions from Ryan Pedley (73), Jayden Levitt (42), Ashley Newfield (30) and Alexei Kervezee (28), Bromsgrove fell short of a competitive total, finishing on 214-6.

In reply, a century from former Bromsgrove batsman George Rhodes (102 from 132 balls) and an unbeaten 47 from Andrew Curtis took Green to victory with almost nine overs in hand.

Division Two bottom club Eastnor were routed by Tamworth for 44, which included 12 extras.

Dean Van Deventer (6-14) and Jack Twigger (3-6) destroyed Eastnor, who picked up five wickets before Tamworth passed their paltry total.

Tamworth’s Stuart Burrows (17) was the top scorer, while Shahid Ahmed took 3-26 for Eastnor.

Halesowen romped to an easy eight-wicket win over Worcester's Old Elizabethans even though they allowed the visitors to reach 150 all out after slipping to 115-9.

On a tricky wicket, at the start, only Johann Smit (49) provided a problem for the Halesowen attack until last-wicket pair Liam Booth (21no) and Hemaka Pathiranage (20) added respectability.

Rich Brooker (4-21) and Taryck Gabriel (2-16) mopped up the tail.

Halesowen’s reply was dominated by Ed Kilbee with 77no alongside support from Kester Moseley (30), Jhujar Johal (26) and Faisal Shahid (15no).

Streetly moved up to fourth in Division Three following a 40-run win at Worcester, where they were steered to 218 all out by Neil Curtis (46), Sam Bates (44) and Matt Hinton (43).

Fabian Allen took 5-76 for Worcester and then hit 51 to no avail as they were bowled out for 178.

Mohammed Adeel chipped in with 57 but Dewald Joubert (4-58) and Bates (3-41) bowled Streetly to a comfortable win.

Astwood Bank secured a crucial victory over Fordhouses after an inspired spell of 6-8 from Andrzej Jagielski and 3-19 from Matthew Macdonald blew their opponents away for 84.

An unbeaten fourth-wicket stand of 72 between Tom Pedley (39no) and Steve Adshead (27no) steered Bank to a much-needed seven-wicket win that lifted them within 15 points of safety.