It was how well they coped with all the rain that took them to where they are, but it was the sun that smiled on the top two as the weather finally turned in the Birmingham League's favour.

Without a hint of rain for the first time this summer, leaders West Bromwich Dart-mouth and second-placed Walsall both recorded their third win out of six matches.

And, although Dave Middleton's Walsall found it easy at struggling Wellington, it was title favourites Dartmouth who were run closest at Coventry.

Huw Jones top scored with 82, backed up by Harshad Patel (44) and new overseas signing Shivakant Shukla (34) as Dartmouth ran up 229 for nine, limited chiefly by Asif Khan, who finished with five for 35.

A third-wicket stand between Vikram Sodhi (89) and home skipper Greg Smith (51) then put Coventry seriously in the hunt. But Kasir Shah got rid of Smith, Rob Fenton made a double break-through and, with skipper Naheem Saijad also coming back to complete a three-wicket haul, Coventry's victory bid fell just short.

Dartmouth's 24-point maximum stretched their advantage to ten points over Walsall, who had Paul Wicker to thank for their eight-wicket win at Wellington.

Wicker bowled unchanged to take six for 44 at Orleton Park as the home side's batting struggles continued.

Only Adam Byram (31) and Tim Hancock (25) emerged with any credit as Wellington were rolled for just 109 on their notoriously low-scoring track - and even that was their highest total in the three league games they have completed to date.

Richard Mills then set about the task of knocking them off with gusto, hitting an unbeaten 68 as Walsall romped to victory in the 22nd over.

A significant gap has now opened between the top two and the rest. But Kenilworth Wardens stay third, despite only managing a draw at Old Hill. Home skipper Attiq-UrRehmann hit 119, supported by James Pearson's 64 as Old Hill piled up 234 for five.

Shitansu Kotak helped keep the brakes on by taking all the five wickets to fall and he then hit 31 with the bat, in support of Scott Stenning's 49 not out. But the Wardens were never seriously in the hunt.

Himley remain in fourth after a determined bid for victory in the day's highest scoring game against fifth-placed Knowle & Dorridge.

Travis Friend (56 not out), Nick James (51) and Richard Johnson (50) all hit half centuries, backed by Kevin Bray's 41 as K&D amassed 254 for seven. And, in a dramatic finish, Himley ended up just three runs short thanks to 81 not out from Stuart Lampitt.

On a day when all four Premier Division victories went to the away team, the biggest shock was Moseley's 32-run win at reigning champions Barnt Green. Gavin Shephard's four for 25 looked to have set up a routine victory for the home side when Moseley were bowled out for just 169.

But the Green were soon making heavy weather of their reply. Despite teenager Nathan Newport, son of former Worcestershire and England all-rounder Phil, hitting a defiant 56, the home side were bowled out for 137. Warwick-shire's Ian Westwood, who had earlier hit 29, claimed four wickets, as did Usman Awan.

The day's other top flight winners were Kidderminster Victoria, who moved up a couple of places with their first victory of the season, at Shropshire's other struggling side, Shrewsbury.

In a private duel of the two promoted clubs, last year's Division One champions were outplayed by the runners-up.

Jonathan Miles took four for 33 as Shrewsbury limped to just 141 all out, of which 34 was supplied late down the order by wicketkeeper Spot Davies.

That proved no problem for Kidderminster, who breezed to victory with almost half their over ration to spare thanks to Craig Stevens' unbeaten 76 and 31 from skipper Jonathan Wright.

It leaves the two Shropshire sides rock bottom. And, with West Bromwich Dartmouth and Walsall on top. And on an afternoon when two other local clubs of long standing - Moseley and Kidderminster - won too, that made it an uplifting day for Birmingham League traditionalists.