Division One title is within grasp after stunning 85 from Stenning

The hosts raced to their 233-run target in the 40th over to extend their unbeaten run to 19 matches.

The two points now required to clinch the title look likely to arrive during tomorrow’s penultimate match between Divison One’s already-promoted top two at Dorridge.

Stenning, who struck 15 boundaries in his 99-ball 85, was joined in a match-clinching 142-run third-wicket partnership by Sitanshu Kotak (48) after the champions-elect had been rocked by the early losses of Keith Bell and Nick Seager.

Skipper Martin Donald’s unbeaten 25 then saw Wardens over the line with more than ten overs remaining as relegated Brewood’s threadbare change bowling was unable to stem the flow of runs after James Kidson and Robbie Byrne had grabbed two wickets apiece.

The visitors had earlier produced a defiant display with the bat after Ali Wilkinson’s two early wickets had reduced them to 18 for two.

Richard Bradford (68) joined forces with Bruce Thomason in a 178-run third-wicket alliance to halt Wardens’ charge towards an early win.

Thomason, who was especially severe on the spinners, smashed three sixes and ten fours in his outstanding 114-ball 110 before falling to Kotak, who finished with three for 32.

Wilkinson also returned to the attack to good effect, claiming two late scalps which saw him finish with four for 49.

Robin de Regt’s fifth consecutive score of more than 50 saw Wardens 2nds to a crucial 40-run win over promotion rivals Coventry.

The South African’s fluent 118-ball 76, plus a brilliant cameo half -century from Harry Johnson, helped the visitors to 228 for six in their 50 overs.

Three wickets apiece for Tom Ballinger and Paul Henderson then enabled Wardens to finish the job as Coventry were dismissed for 188 in the 49th over.

The result took Wardens to the summit of the Division Two (South) table for the first time since May and they now lead Coventry by five points and Bromsgrove by 19, meaning a win in either of their remaining two matches will virtually assure promotion.

After Wardens had slipped to 101 for four, de Regt added 45 with fifth-wicket partner Dan Phillips (23) before wicketkeeper Johnson helped the left-hander compile the 49 rapid runs which took Wardens beyond 200.

Teenager Johnson showed great maturity, as well as some fine strokeplay, to finish with a 45-ball unbeaten 53.

Experienced batsmen Peter Bates (45) and Greg Beaufoy (56) got Coventry’s response away to a solid start, and at 133 for three they were well placed.

However, both fell to smart return catches, after which Henderson (3-36), plus spinners Andy Whitehall (2-45) and Ballinger (3-44) took control as the hosts’ last five wickets fell for 35 runs.