TITLE-CHASING Himley CC beat their opponents and the weather as they thundered to a ten-wicket win against Walmley.

With early evening storms bringing a premature end to games across the Birmingham Premier League, the Stourbridge Road outfit avoided the showers by skittling their opponents out for just 64 before knocking the runs off in 15 overs.

Chris Tranter was the star of the show, taking 5-18 in his first spell of the season and then smashing an unbeaten 49 from 41 balls in the run chase.

It means the club has now put together four wins on the spin and captain Greg Wright is determined to keep the run going for as long as possible.

He said: “It’s a good habit to be in, we were in good form at the start of the season and results just keep on coming.

“Moseley was our best win and I would say this was our easiest.

“At this time in previous years we have been well behind the leaders and have had to play catch up in the second half of the season.

“We have put ourselves in a great position and must now make sure we take full advantage.”

Walmley openers Mohammad Usman (12) and Bavik Patel (18) had taken the score to 31-0 before Tranter, who had not bowled in a league game for five years, changed the game with a superb spell of swing bowling.

He was ably assisted by Stuart Wedge (3-27) and Michael Hill (2-18), while Wright himself took four slip catches.

The skipper revealed the decision to bring Tranter into the attack had come abou because the opening batsmen impressed in a net session.

He said: “It was a really inspired change. He can swing the ball both ways and it really gave them problems.

“It worked out perfectly for us.

“They have been struggling this year and had a few players missing but we bowled great and used the conditions pretty well.”

Himley now face a trip to Barnt Green on Saturday (noon) with Wright hopeful star bowler Tim Heap will be back to boost the attack after time out with a groin injury.

He added: “I would say it’s about 50/50 at the moment Tim will be back, otherwise it will be the same team as Saturday.

“The games keep on coming and its important to keep winning. There are still a number of teams with a shot at the title and it’s the sides that produce the most consistent form who will triumph.”