BERKSWELL moved eight points clear at the top of the Birmingham League Premier Division thanks to an 18-point winning draw against visitors Smethwick on Saturday.
Having been invited to bat, the hosts made full use of a perfect batting track and, thanks to a superb innings of 125 from Nick James, ably supported by Tom Milnes (64) and Dan Chaudhry (37), the home side posted a mammoth 320-8 from their 55 overs.
In reply, the visitors made little attempt to chase down the runs and only Amrinder Brar (41) and Vikram Sodhi (67) made any significant contributions with the bat as Smethwick were content to see out the 55 overs and finished on 186/9.
On Saturday Berkswell travel to Dorridge to face a side who currently sit at the lower end of the table.
Berkswell had more success on Sunday in the league’s T20 Trophy competition as they emerged eventual winners and now progress as the Birmingham League’s representatives in the National T20 competition’s final rounds.
In their semi-final match against Fordhouses, Berkswell reached 134-7 in their 20 overs and, in a close match, eventually achieved victory by restricting Fordhouses to 128-6.
The final saw Berkswell face Wolverhampton and, batting first, Berkswell posted 229-8 in their 20 overs. In-form James again led the way with 80 off 44 balls, assisted by a quickfire 52 from Tom Lewis off only 24 balls.
Wolverhampton found run-scoring difficult against the Berkswell bowlers and lost wickets regularly and by the halfway stage were 53-3.
Two direct hit run-outs in two balls worsened their plight and, despite an aggressive 69 from Will Nield, Wolverhampton were unable to reach the target as Berkswell achieved victory by 73 runs.
