Rain stops Walsall chasing low target
Wolverhampton CC (143-8) drew with Walsall CC First XI (40-2) – match abandoned
RAIN scuppered Walsall's hopes of making further ground on the Birmingham Premier leading pack last weekend.
They had restricted fellow title hopefuls Wolverhampton to 143-8 in a reduced overs match and looked well placed to challenge that total at 40-2 when the heavens opened.
The draw means the Gorway Road side remain in sixth place in the table, 38 points behind leaders Knowle and Dorridge, who picked up a comprehensive victory over Moseley.
Walsall had Wolverhampton in trouble early with Smith and Kapil both trapped lbw for ducks by Mo Sheikh, while Brook was caught by Adam Breakspear for five off the bowling of Gareth Williams.
Wheeldon (45) and Bowyer (26) steadied the home ship before both fell victim to Andy Miller, the former caught by Tim Maxfield and the latter by Andy Gray.
Lycett (1) was caught by Gray off Miller, Russell (1) was bowled by Miller and Margetts was caught and bowled by Gray as most of the Wolverhampton middle order went cheaply.
However, the exception was Batahule, whose well-crafted unbeaten 44 went a long way to helping his side post 143-8 from their 46 overs.
Miller (4-24) was the pick of the Walsall bowlers with Sheikh (2-31), Williams (1-20) and Gray (1-44) also returning good figures.
In reply, Gray (16) and Paul Baker (7) were dismissed early but Walsall were helped by 12 extras from the generous Wolverhampton bowlers.
However, with 10.3 overs gone the rain came down and denied Maxfield (4no) and Sheikh (1no) the chance of completing the job.
Walsall face another crucial game at home to fourth-placed Kenilworth Wardens this Saturday.
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