OLD Hill find themselves sitting pretty on top of Birmingham League Division One after they overwhelmed previous leaders Walsall by a thumping nine-wicket margin at Gorway.

Skipper Dannyjo Cox was quick to play down the victory and insisted: “We had a great deal that went in our favour on the day and people need to realise there’s still a long way to go yet. There are still a number of areas where we need to improve.”

Indeed there was little to indicate such a dramatic outcome as Walsall were put into bat and quickly reached 66 without loss, thanks to former Old Hill player Mike Hingley who hit 21 while highly rated wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Middleton made 49 before both were run out.

But the game really turned on its head when Old Hill reverted to an all-spin attack.

Left arm spinner Nigel Davenport proved almost unplayable as he picked up six for 23 while off-spinner Dimitri Ratnayake claimed two for 32 – the pair reducing Walsall to 119 all out.

Old Hill made light of their reply, racing to a winning 120 for one, Dimitri Ratnayake leading the charge, rounding off a fine performance with 55 not out.

Cox added: “It wasn’t an easy win and it wasn’t a case of whoever won the toss, won the game. We played on a used wicket which certainly took spin and it was difficult to know whether the pitch would get better or worse as the game went on. In fact I’ve yet to meet anyone who can really read a wicket!

Old Hill look to continue their title challenge this Saturday when they travel to Moseley based side Attock, where they will be missing overseas player Monil Patel who is unavailable for the game.