THE Beacon Sunday League title race is hotting up after Claregate Park Rangers took over top spot this week.

On another crucial weekend for Rangers, Gary Cooper's charges grabbed a vital 3-2 success at Shere Punjab Wolves to swap places with leaders and four times champions Dynamo Dudley on goal difference, writes Dave McLean.

Claregate took a narrow 1-0 advantage into the break, but were pegged back after the restart.

However, Rangers were not to be denied and they eventually chalked up an eighth league win in 11 as Marc Thomas netted a brace, supported by Luke Pinnock. Keeping matters close were the Shere pair of Arun Sanghara and Rajinder Sidhu.

In the Paycare Development Division, third place Trysull Tigers kept up their push for league honours with a vital 3-1 victory at fellow contenders, second spot AFC Sporting Gornal.

Both are chasing down pacesetters Bloxwich Rangers U21s and the Tigers, who have two games in hand on their rivals, are one down on Sporting and eight adrift of the former.

In one of many wind affected Beacon games, Trysull took maximum points with goals from Dan Hickman, Finn Bellamy and Joel Crainer, with Aaron Foxall replying.

FC Premier U21s also remained in contention thanks to a last minute strike from new boy Sam Kayode against visiting Dudley Rangers United.

In what proved a thriller, Curtis Bullock, Kasen Peace and Jacob Jones also found the mark for Premier, with Liam Ingram (two) amd Jordan Whitehouse responding.

In the Wilkes Tranter Chell Cup the group B knockout qualifers will be confirmed this coming Sunday.

Latest group games saw Kurdish United and Sedgley & Gornal United remain firmly in contention with respective wins over CannockUnited (8-2) and Codsall Station (4-1).

Keeping up their push were S & G as Jack Kelly took the man of the match award with a fine treble, supported by Tom Timmins. Codsall's consolation came from Liam Davies.

In the final Sports Shop Kingswinford Clinton Cup group game, Coseley based AFC Springfield chalked up a welcome win, 3-0 over Penn Rovers, goals from Sam Smith (two) and Ben Berrows.