OLD Elizabethans swept aside Birmingham League Division Two title-hopefuls Cannock with an eight-wicket victory at the Memorial Ground.

Cannock were dismissed for 151, with Liam Booth taking 4-48, before Joe Taylor (64 not out) led the hosts to their target.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first on a good-looking track and fast outfield.

Matt Sprague (2-33) struck in the second over when he bowled Abdul Salom who shouldered arms to a ball that came back in sharply.

Having added 20 runs with Will Fleet (21), Australian Jake Lehmann became the second of Sprague’s victims, trapped lbw.

Dave Womble then came to the crease and started to build a recovery with Fleet, adding 25 runs before the latter was bowled by Booth.

Booth struck again two balls later when he had Richard Hewitt caught by Jamie Boyle and, when he bowled Josh Bowker eight runs later, the visitors were struggling at 64-5.

Jamie Alford (1-18) then bowled Cannock skipper Liam Hickey for nine and Booth (4-48) finished his excellent spell when he had Matt Robinson caught by Krishall Magage.

The Staffordshire side seemed to have no answer to the OEs attack and, when Charlie Griffiths (2-17) grabbed two quick wickets, the impressive Womble was left undefeated on 73 as his side fell to 151 all out with nearly four overs remaining.

Due to a rain interruption in the first innings, OEs had 53 overs to reach their target and they set off at a sharp pace, aided by some wayward bowling from Phillip Heighway who conceded 15 from his only over.

Boyle (24) was the first to fall, trapped lbw by Womble with the score on 38.

Taylor (64no) was joined by Sri Lankan Magage (34) as the pair added 46 in good time before the latter offered an easy catch to Robinson.

However, there was no way back for Cannock as Taylor and Charlie Garratt (23no) helped OEs romp past their target with more than 16 overs to spare.

The results leaves OEs fourth in the table, just four points behind leaders Harborne who they entertain today.