Alex McChristie is the main man for Fordhouses
Alex McChristie was the undoubted hero as Fordhouses claimed their first South Staffs County League win of the season in a thriller at Hammerwich.
Part-time bowler McChristie took 6-16 – including a hat-trick – as the hosts were restricted to 120-9 batting first.
And ‘Macca’ then struck 58 from 54 balls to help Fordhouses reach the target with a ball and two wickets to spare.
The visitors, bottom but one in the top flight standings, had looked destined for another defeat when they sat 78-8 with four overs remaining.
But McChristie, aided by a composed contribution from No.10 Haroon Singh, saw them home.
Skipper Chris Guest said: “I thought the game was gone if I am being honest, particularly with the way our season has gone to this point.
“It was going to need something special and Macca certainly delivered it.
“Credit must go to Haroon too. He did a great job of rotating the strike in those final few overs. Macca did the rest.”
McChristie has bowled fewer than 30 overs since the start of 2017 and Guest explained: “It’s something he has wanted to work on and he’s been on at me to give him a chance.
“After Saturday, he’s really left me no choice but to give him a bowl next weekend too!”
Teenage ace Ibbadat Thaman again went big to help Milford Hall claim a nail-biting win at Penkridge.
The 19-year-old, who smashed 191 in the previous week’s victory over Whittington, clubbed 85 from just 59 balls as Milford sneaked home with two balls to spare in another rain-affected encounter.
A brisk 53 from Attiq Chisti had helped Penkridge, batting first, post a testing total of 150-6.
But Milford and Thaman proved up to the challenge. The youngster’s innings included four sixes, while James Davis (35 from 29 balls) provided support as the visitors won with six wickets to spare.
Pelsall are now just one point behind leaders C&R Hawks after a 38-run win at home to Lichfield.
Jake Lee top scored with 43 as the hosts, batting first, made 135-8 from their 25 overs.
A brutal early spell of bowling from Todd Henderson (2-15) and Jonathan Moore (3-17) then left Lichfield in deep trouble at 18-4.
Though Jack Warren (41 from 50 balls) provided some resistance, they were eventually bowled out for 97.
