Shifnal made a much-needed return to winning ways with an impressive three-wicket Birmingham League premier division triumph at Knowle & Dorridge.
The Priorslee Road men successfully chased down 226 to secure their second victory of the season against one of the division’s strongest outfits.
Batting first, Knowle & Dorridge made a strong start and looked well-placed to post a big tally as they stood on 180-4 with 10 overs remaining - and Shropshire all-rounder Atiq-ur-Rehman and Zimbabwe Test star Travis Friend well set at the crease.
But Shifnal had a slice of luck as Rehman was run-out for 45 - Friend’s straight drive off the bowling off Gary Putland deflected onto the stumps with the non-striker out of his ground.
And the visitors capitalised on that to dismiss Knowle & Dorridge for 225, Guy Bulpitt and Gary Putland taking four and three wickets respectively.
Shifnal lost Bryan Jones and Asif Sultan early in the reply, but Jono Whitney’s 72 put them on course for victory.
And, after a string of decent middle-order contributions, Guy Home and Putland - unbeaten on 33 and 22 respectively - saw their side over the line for 20 points.
“I’m pleased for the boys because they have stuck at it well over the last few weeks and I sensed we weren’t too far away from getting a win,” said manager Chris Cadman.
“At one stage we were staring down the barrel of them getting 260 or 270 before Rehman was run out.
“But the lads came back well and we played good cricket all day.
“Jono was in excellent form but I was pleased for Guy. He hasn’t had the best of starts to the season but that situation was made for him and he used all of his experience at the end.”
St Georges finally found their batting form to register a notable success over Ombersley in division two.
A tight bowling performance ensured the Dragons restricted the visitors to 176-6, Andy Johnson claiming 3-24.
And skipper Matt Tilt then led from the front, hitting an unbeaten 75 as his side got home by two wickets and with an over to spare.
“It was very pleasing to chase a total down against a good bowling attack,” said Tilt. “I said last week that the batsmen had runs in them and everyone contributed.
“It was an important win for confidence and to keep us around the pack at the top of the table.”
Newport remain in the bottom two after suffering a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Smethwick.
Mike Holliday’s 73 helped the hosts up to 189-5 off 55 overs, but - despite three wickets for Jonty Mountford - the visitors secured victory with five wickets and four overs to spare.
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