An adventurous approach from Shrewsbury was rewarded as they returned to winning ways in the Birmingham League premier division.

Ed Foster’s side defeated Walmley by 31 runs at London Road in a game affected by rain.

With two breaks for the weather during their innings, Shrewsbury elected to declare on 207-7 off 41 overs.

Tom Cox continued his fine form with an unbeaten 65 off 62 balls after skipper Foster had himself scored 40.

That left Walmley with 39 overs to bat and Shrewsbury sealed victory by bowling out their visitors for 176 with six balls to spare.

Mike Barnard took 5-41 on his return from injury, while leg spinner Elliott Green claimed three wickets.

“It wasn’t the complete performance but it was a step in the right direction and it was important we got back to winning ways,” said Foster.

The victory took Shrewsbury back into second in the table and within 30 points of leaders Knowle & Dorridge whose game at Moseley was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Wellington are still looking over their shoulders in the top flight after going down by three wickets at Kidderminster Victoria.

Steve Lamb’s gritty 96 was the mainstay of Wellington’s 209-8 from 55 overs with Wendell Wagner providing late support with 43 off 45 balls.

Skipper Anthony O’Connor gave Wellington hope by taking three early wickets to reduce Kidderminster to 39-3.

But 61 from former Shropshire captain James Ralph took the game away from Wellington and Kidderminster – who only had 53 overs to bat due to a brief rain break – got past the target for the loss of seven wickets with 10 balls to spare.

“Steve Lamb did a fine job for us but we didn’t get enough runs on what is widely regarded as the best batting surface in the division,” said team manager Terry O’Connor.

Depleted Shifnal, short of a host of first team regulars due to unavailability, suffered a heavy defeat at Bromsgrove in division one.

The Priorslee Road men were skittled for just 80 with Dave Powles top scoring with 21. Jonty Mountford was the only other player to reach double figures.

And Bromsgrove reached their target for the loss of just two wickets inside 16 overs.