Cricket: Young Bears inspire win; Birmingham & District Premier Cricket League LEADERS: Dartmouth capitalise on rain-ravaged round of matches CLUB CRICKET.

Byline: By Nick Pullen

WEST Bromwich Dartmouth were able to stretch their lead on top of the Premier Division while persistent rain prevented their rivals from gaining any outright results.

Both reigning champions Barnt Green and rivals Knowle and Dorridge were rained off without a ball being bowled.

But Dartmouth succeeded in getting the better of Shrewsbury following a 25-over thrash in Shropshire.

Shrewsbury were always struggling in the damp conditions but skipper Jonny Anders led a spirited attempt, scoring 34 before being run out.

Warwickshire paceman Naqaash Tahir bowled throughout to take three for 37 as Shrewsbury found themselves restricted to 97 for seven.

Dartmouth didn't have matters all their own way in reply and a determined effort by Anders with three for 19 off seven overs made runs hard to find, but Tahir's county team-mate Moeen Ali stood out with a vital 44 as the Sandwell Park side made it home on 101 for six with just three balls to spare.

Kenilworth Wardens climbed to second spot following a drawn contest with Himley, which was reduced to a 34 overs affair.

Wardens reached 131 for seven with Ian Marillier making an outstanding 53 not out in the face of some accurate bowling by Worcestershire's Stuart Wedge, who picked up four wickets.

Himley had to settle for 121 for six in reply, Cameron Fox continuing his good early-season form with 43, while Mark Pigeon proved pick of the bowling with three for 42 off 11 overs.

Opening bat Paul Baker plundered 61 as Walsall had much the better of their drawn contest with Old Hill.

Namibian Gerrie Snyman struck a further 42 as Walsall reached 165 for four from their 28 overs and then had Old Hill in trouble on 86 for seven at the close after Snyman helped himself to four wickets.

Australian Pete Magafas provided the best of the batting as Moseley had Kidderminster Victoria struggling in their 25-over confrontation.

Lincolnshire seamer Jonathan Miles picked up the prize wicket of Warwickshire opener Ian Westwood who failed to trouble the scorers.

Miles went on to take four for 38 when bowling throughout as Moseley could only muster 102, Magafas making 34 of that total.

But Kidderminster collapsed in reply to the bowling of Moseley skipper Michael Bell and Ashfak Hussain, who both claimed four wickets.

Kidderminster crumpled to 65 for eight by the close after opening batsmen Mark Mansell and skipper Jonathan Wright had provided them with a promising start.

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STRIKING OUT... Walsall opener Richard Mills in action during the drawn game against Old Hill. Picture: Marc Kirsten