Smethwick can see finish line in race for title

PREMIER ONE

- By PAUL SMITH

HALESOWEN and Harborne stand between Smethwick and back-to-back Birmingham and District Premier League titles after Shrewsbury’s chance to apply pressure was ended by a washout.

Rawait Khan's team need 21 points from the final two games to retain a crown which, prior to their 2022 success, had eluded them since the 1960s.

Indeed, but for a near-miss behind Moseley in 2023, the Black Country outfit could currently be seeking four consecutive titles.

When the rain arrived, Smethwick’s powerful batting lineup seemed well-placed to chase down Shrewsbury’s 191 all out, although the early loss of Raj Beniwal had by then raised the visitors’ hopes.

Skipper Lewis Evans earlier crafted a well-paced, unbeaten half-century which, with some help from the tail, enabled the Shrews to recover from an unpromising 130 for eight. Yasir Ali claimed 3-34 for the hosts.