BROMSGROVE Third XI cruised to a seven-wicket victory against third placed Olton on Saturday to maintain their 34-point advantage at the top of the table.

Batting first, Olton found runs hard to come by thanks to tight bowling and faultless fielding.

Arnold was well caught behind by John Sorrell for a golden duck and Budd departed soon after when Charlie Taylor uprooted his stumps with the score on 24.

Taylor took a second wicket in his opening spell when Steve Berry gloved a short delivery to the keeper, reducing the home side to 42-3.

Smith offered some resistance with a well struck 32 before be was caught by Dave Gower off David Kendall. Mike Thurbon and David Wells both bowled well with no return as Olton's middle order settled for two runs an over.

The reintroduction of Taylor and skipper Paul Husbands put paid to Olton's rearguard action as the final six wickets fell for just 38 runs.

Husbands finished with 4-28 and Taylor was the pick of the bowling with 5-43 as the home team were bowled out for 140.

Bromsgrove made a good start to their reply with Nick Priddey (12) and Gower (26) adding 41 for the first wicket. Chris Bennett and Gower (26) fell in consecutive overs to leave Bromsgrove on 59-3.

But Jimmy Price (33) and Husbands (37) put on 82 runs to steer the league leaders to victory in the 27th over.

The West Midland Third XI Championship title race is now between Town and second placed Barnt Green.