West Bromwich Dartmouth injected some life into the Birmingham League title race last night as they stunned runaway leaders Barnt Green with their first defeat since May.

Home skipper Matt Rawnsley and pace bowler Rob Fenton claimed four wickets apiece as Dartmouth finally broke down the Green's rearguard action to win by 30 runs with 16 balls to spare.

That catapults early season leaders Dartmouth back up into second, with three games to go.

But, with a 25-point cushion, it is still very much the Green's title to lose.

They looked to be on course for a season's ninth win when they limited Dartmouth to 171 on a bowler-friendly Sandwell Park track.

Rookie De Silva (43), Huw Jones (39) and Naheem Saijad (36) all had to graft against the Green attack, spearheaded by Roger Sillence (4-40), Richard Hall (3-50), and Dave Wigley (2-35).

But it proved even harder work when Barnt Green batted, as Rawnsley's spin became a key factor.

Richard Hall, nursing a bruised hand, tried to hit his way out of trouble, hammering four fours and a six in his 27 as the Green's 50 came up in the tenth over.

But, once he had gone, only Paul Bedford (26) provided any real hope of winning it.

When it got down to the last pair Philip Mann and Gareth Williams, it was simply a matter of survival.

But Fenton trapped Mann lbw with the second ball of the 53rd over to earn a muchneeded maximum 24-point haul, Rawnsley ending with four for 49 and Fenton four for 44.

Himley's Gerrie Strydom hit his second century of the weekend to move his side into range with a 19-run win over Kenilworth.

But Knowle & Dorridge lost to bottom club Leamington, while Old Hill suffered a losing draw at home to Walsall.

Neil Smith's 81 and Usman Awan's six for 62 earned Leamington an unexpected 12-run over K&D which offers hope of still cheating the drop. And, although Walsall failed to prise the final wicket at Old Hill, their winning draw has lifted them to within one point of Halesowen, who they play in their penultimate game.

It was a bad day all round for Halesowen skipper Richard Cox at Coventry.

He ended up in Selly Oak Hospital with a dislocated shoulder and is probably out for the season after diving awkwardly at Binley Road. And, to add insult to injury, his side lost to relegation rivals Coventry by five wickets.

Moseley also lost by seven wickets at Orleton Park after home skipper Gavin Byram and Asif Sultan both hit half centuries, helping their side recover from nine for three to ultimately win with ease.

The First Division's big game went in favour of the visitors at London Road as Smethwick toppled leaders Shrewsbury with a 60-run win.

Big-hitting Aurrol Kirnon's 68 in 34 balls proved the telling factor as Smethwick piled up 242 for six, and Shrewsbury were never in the hunt.

The Second Division title looks like going to Shifnal after they outplayed nearest rivals Studley.

Shropshire skipper Guy Home hit 87 and Bryan Jones, his predecessor as county captain, made 47 as the home side piled up 240 for five.

After being reduced to ten for four by two wickets apiece for Jon Mountford and Adam Shimmons, Studley at least avoided defeat, but Shifnal's winning draw should seal top spot.

In the day's third meeting of first v second, Aston Manor surrendered any hopes of the Third Division title as leaders Evesham claimed a 24-point maximum.