Struggling Hammers fail to stem tide after plucky effort

By division one

BLOXWICH (186-5) beat HAMMERWICH FIRST XI (185) by five wickets

HAMMERWICH slumped to a five-wicket defeat against a useful Bloxwich outfit.

The hosts sent Hammerwich to the crease, and a determined effort saw the visitors make 185 all-out.

Dean Pemberton (35), Laurence Burford (38) and Brian Fisher (51) provided some resistance to a solid bowling attack.

But after a late knock of 19 from David Fisher, Hammerwich were soon all out for 185.

In reply, Bloxwich held their nerve despite early pressure when Andrew McAree fell for three.

A solid performance from the upper order in the Bloxwich ranks, most notably from the impressive Ejaz Nawaz (82), meant that the hosts cruised to victory with five wickets in hand.

Pemberton (2-37), James Taylor (1-43) and Zak Shingler (2-19) were the wicket-takers for the Hammers.

Next up for bottom-but-one Hammerwich is table-topping Wednesbury away on Saturday.