Shrewsbury go top off five in a row

Seamer Mike Barnard was the star of the show, claiming six wickets as the hosts romped to a nine-wicket win.

Barnard returned figures of 6-36 as Kenilworth, batting first having won the toss, were bowled out for 167 in 46.2 overs.

Oliver Westbury was then the only wicket to fall as Shrewsbury reached the target in just 26.2 overs, Will Parton top scoring with 82 from 68 balls, while Ed Foster also made 56. The 24-point haul saw Shrewsbury leapfrog Berkswell, who were held to a winning draw by Wolverhampton, to the top of the table. Their opening day defeat to Barnt Green, when they were bowled out for just 54, now seems a very long time ago.

Shifnal climbed to the top of the Division One after taking victory in a low-scoring contest at home to Smethwick.

The visitors arrived at Priorslee Road unbeaten and made the perfect start when Mohammad Fahim Jam had Shropshire skipper Steve Leach dismissed for a diamond duck.

Charlie Home (20) and Connor Dudley (31) steadied the ship with a second-wicket partnership of 52, yet the key innings of the match was played by Charlie Murrall, who gave key support to the tail on his way to 48 not out.

His ninth- wicket partnership with Alex Wyatt (15) helped guide Shifnal from 115-8 to a final score of 167. It was a total which looked more than competitive once Wyatt got stuck into Smethwick with the ball

The seamer had opening pair Shaurya Sharma and Waqar Saleem dismissed cheaply and wickets fell regularly during the visitors’ reply. Amrinder Brar showed plenty of determination on his way to 43 but lacked any support as Smethwick were eventually bowled out for just 106.

Wyatt finished with 5-23, while Shropshire team-mate Jack McIver claimed 4-53.

Bridgnorth slipped one place in the table to ninth after slumping to a heavy defeat at home to Moseley.

Warwickshire’s Mark Adair top scored with 91 from 90 balls as the visitors, having won the toss and chosen to bat, compiled an imposing 289-7 from 55 overs.

The home side’s reply lasted barely 20 overs as they were bowled out for 77, Usman Awan taking 4-8.

Wellington are 10th after falling to a 124-run defeat at home to Bromsgrove.