Nathan Round's all-round skills sustained Walsall's excellent start to the season as they completed a 100-run victory over Barnt Green, last year's Premier League champions.

Walsall have been the surprise package of the season. After struggling to avoid relegation last year, the club had a clear-out of their playing staff and emerged a more united force than for several years.

Round gave them the upper hand on Saturday. The 25-year-old, who used to be on the Worcestershire staff, followed an unbeaten 104 by cutting through Barnt Green's middle-order with his medium-pace swing bowling to take four for 32. Alamgir Sheriyar, who nipped out both openers, and Paul Wicker (3-29) lent support.

Barnt Green's season has still to get going. Inevitably weakened by the loss of Roger Sillence (to Worcestershire) and Richard Illingworth (to umpiring), the Green have also lost more matches to the weather - four - than any other team in the division. This was only their second loss but, after such a great season in 2005, few would have expected to see them in the bottom four by the second week in June.

They are not the only team that find themselves much further down the table than anticipated. Wellington, the champions in 2003 and 2004, continue to be let down by their brittle batting and they slipped to their fourth loss of the season against leaders West Bromwich Dartmouth on Saturday.

Tim Hancock, the former Gloucestershire batsman who was expected to make such an impression this season, continued to struggle and scored only one as his side fell well short of Dartmouth's 234 for nine. Warwickshire's Naqaash Tahir (three for 39) and Naheem Sajjad (two for 20) did most of the damage for Dartmouth.

Earlier, Huw Jones and Christopher Boroughs provided the bulk of the Dartmouth total and helped their side sustain their excellent start to the season. One of only three unbeaten sides in the top two divisions, they already look like the team to be caught.

Keith Piper justified his inclusion in the Moseley side as a specialist batsman by top-scoring 53 in their win against Coventry and North Warwick. The former Warwickshire and England A wicketkeeper scored 53 and Pardip Patel added 45 before Greg Smith (five for 25) caused a collapse.

In reply, Coventry and NW had no answer to the off-spin of teenager Usman Awan. A product of Warwickshire's Academy, Awan's six for 25 will have ensured he remains in the thoughts of the county.

Another off-spinner, Worcestershire's forgotten man Shaftab Khalid, took five for 41 as Old Hill defeated Shrewsbury.

Old Hill captain Attiq-urRehman led from the front with 81 in reply as his side overhauled the visitors' 217 with four wickets in hand. It was Old Hill's first victory of the season and keeps winless Shrewsbury rooted to the foot of the table.

Elsewhere, Kenilworth Wardens were thwarted by Knowle and Dorridge's last pair of batsmen.

With Scott Stenning (92) and former Mashonaland player Eian Marillier (63) - brother of the former Zimbabwe international Dougie - to the fore, Wardens set an imposing total of 244 for eight.

With Shitanshu Kotak taking four wickets and James Jordan two, K&D never threatened to get close. Another Zimbabwe man, Travis Friend, held up Wardens with 39 but it was the tenth-wicket pair who held out for a draw and sustained K&D's unbeaten record.

Kidderminster Victoria's former England Under-19 player Will Gifford, who is on the Worcestershire staff, was easily the most impressive batsman on display in the home match against Himley. He scored 76 in their total of 127 but it was not enough to prevent defeat.

Indian left-arm spinner Vishal Bhatia's four wickets took Kidderminster to the brink of victory before Himley number ten Tim Heap scored 17 to see his side home by one wicket. Himley go third. ..SUPL: