KNOWLE and Dorridge CC lost ground on the teams at the top of Birmingham Premier League Division One after they suffered an agonising five-wicket defeat to leaders Smethwick.
K and D produced a solid innings as openers Amir Khan (33) and Alex Phillips (17) made 44 before the latter fell with George Maddy (1) quick to follow.
However, Maddy’s dismissal brought James Middleton to the crease who scored a magnificent 148 not out from 127 deliveries which included 19 boundaries.
Middleton lacked run-scoring support in the middle with Sam Reddish (24) and Fahd Janjua (15) the only other batters to reach double figures.
K and D closed on 257-7 from their 55 overs but knew they would have to bowl well to triumph over the league leaders.
And Smethwick opener Kadeer Ali (104) made life difficult for K and D’s bowlers as he scored a sublime century and was ably supported by a host of partners at the crease.
Muhammad Qamar Khan (29), Roshan Venkataraman (13), Bilal Shafayat (45), Gurinder Singh (46 not out) and Rawait Khan (18) all added useful runs which left Smetwhick needing seven to win off the final over.
K and D captain Jack Grundy bowled well but was unable to prevent G Singh from striking a decisive four which handed Smethwick victory with one ball remaining with the Solihull club now fifth in the table.
The club’s 2nd XI secured a four-wicket win against Kenilworth whilst the third XI thrashed Atherstone Town by 144 runs and the fourth XI beat Selly Park by four wickets.
