Essington 1st XI (135-5) beat
Erdington Court (132) by 5 wickets Essington pulled off an impressive victory that drew them into a tie for second place in the table with their opponents. Having bowled and fielded magnificently, Wyrley chased Erdington’s target inside 24 overs with opener Lee Bates (90*) carrying his bat. Knowing that defeat would likely end hopes of promotion to Division 2 of the Lichfield League, Essington started brightly with Bates (3-14) claiming two quick wickets. Copeland bowled tightly and Maitland (1-23) chipped in before Baker (2-17) maintained the pressure after the drinks break. But star of the show was Matt Drury who notched a career-best 4-30 with some aggressive quick bowling. Wyrley were solid in the field with Miller taking two good catches, to go with Cruise-Jones’ ankle-height effort in the gully and Sellman’s fine poach in the deep. Essington Saturday XI (197-9) beat Bloxwich (194) by 1 wicket Jamie Broadhurst (59*) and Craig Griffiths (30*) were Essington’s last wicket heroes, helping the home side scramble a victory from the jaws of defeat against local rivals Bloxwich with a vital 10th wicket partnership. Bloxwich posted a quite respectable total, batting first, although Wyrley acquitted themselves well, with skipper Bates (4-44) and spinner Blackmore (2-17 from nine economical overs) the pick of the bowlers. However, despite Broadhurst batting well, Essington were heading towards certain defeat in reply, with wickets tumbling at the other end, until Griffiths - a top order batsman batting last only because of injury - joined him to steer Essington home with a flurry of boundaries. | 
