Shropshire duo Bridgnorth and Whitchurch stay at top in Birmingham League Division Three

Jul 8 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

SHROPSHIRE rivals Bridgnorth and Whitchurch are still going strong at the top of Division Three after weekend wins.

Bridgnorth remain in pole position following a six-wicket victory over Aston Unity which pushes the bottom side nearer to relegation.

Mo Shafiq scored 41 for Unity but it was not enough as they were dismissed for 144 thanks largely to Jono Whitney’s five for 28.

David Exall weighed in with 47 to help Bridgnorth to a victory which keeps them 11 points clear.

Second-placed Whitchurch won by three wickets against another Shropshire side, Newport, who could scosre only 127 for nine in 55 overs.

Raja Bhatia (six for 34) got Newport off to a bright start as Whitchurch were reduced to 66 for six but Simon Bowen’s half-century inspired the title-chasers to victory.

Lichfield’s losing run continued as they went down bravely by two wickets in a tight match at Fordhouses.

Adam Braddock was let down by his batting colleagues after posting almost half of the Staffordshire side’s 106 total with an innings of 45. Jatin Kohli (four for 15) did most of the damage for Fordhouses with help from Sohail Rahi and Danny Hussain who each claimed two wickets.

Lichfield’s 16-year-old James Liddiard enjoyed a brilliant four-for-ten spell but Fordhouses recovered late on to edge to victory.

Olton & West Warwickshire secured a nine-wicket victory over Moseley Ashfield, while Coleshill boosted their survival hopes with an 82-run win at Studley.