After four years of being bridesmaids Stourport-on-Severn 1^st XI were crowned Premier DivisionChampions for the first time on Saturday after beating Droitwich Spa 1^st XI by 8 wickets at Walshes Farm Meadows. After winning the toss and electing to field first the West Worcestershire outfit led by ‘Ted’ Baylis (4-35) took wickets regularly throughout the first innings to dismiss the opposition for a total that they passed for the loss of only two wickets. An excellent season finally rewarded with the title. Our congratulations go to Stourport CC 1^st XI.

With two matches to go the battle for second place is hotting up as third placed Stourbridge 1^st XI made the short trip to play their long-time local rivals Old Hill 1^st XI who in the week learned of the sad passing of one of their stalwarts and long-time legend Roy Keeling. After a fitting tribute to Roy who was one of the nicest men you will ever meet the match turned out to be a classic, one that Roy would have loved to be involved in (or watch for that matter) as both teams battled it out fairly for the whole duration of the match on a pitch that proved difficult to score on if the bowling was straight. After being inserted, the home side posted a reasonable total of one hundred and sixty which at one stage the visitors looked like passing for the loss of eight wickets until the returning Stourbridge Captain Josh Banks (54) was dismissed seven short of the victory target. With just one wicket left and the Old Hill main bowlers all bowled out number 11 Dan Such kept his cool and waited for the right time to pounce as he stuck to boundaries to help his team seal an important one wicket win which, following Astwood Bank 1^st XIs win against Brockhampton 1^st XI (in which Tom Underhill took 5-18 in the first innings) now means positions two to four are separated by just seven [points with two matches remaining.

Elsewhere in the division, Redditch 1^st XI beat Pershore 1^st XI (for whom Hannah Hardwick (4-45) became the first female to play in the Premier Division) by thirty eight runs to move above their opponents in to sixth place. Bromyard 1^st XI sealed an important victory when George Godsall (68) helped them chase down Ombersley 2^nd XIs first innings total to seal the win which moved them just point ahead of their opponents and out of the relegation places and finally Old Elizabethans 1^st XI beat Colwall 1^st XI who have struggled for runs all season by nine wickets, a result that means Colwall will be playing their cricket in Division One next season and pulls Old Elizabethans CC 1^st XI twenty seven points above the relegation zone, which in turn means that the fight for survival is now between three teams, Ombersley 2^nd XI, Bromyard 1^st XI and Old Elizabethans 1^st XI who look the safest with two matches remaining. 

Maxwell Meyer (51*) took his seasons run tally to 980 as already promoted Worcester Nomads 1^st XI cemented their position at the summit of Division Onewith an eight wicket win against visiting Oldswinford 1^st XI. Twenty-six points clear at the top, Nomads who have added consistency to their performances this season will deservedly win the title if they beat Lye 1^st XI at Whitegates Farm next week. Chaddesley Corbett 1^st XI secured the second promotion place by beating Bewdley 1^st XI by forty two runs at Lower Park and third placed Barnt Green 2^nd XI were beaten by Kidderminster 2^nd XI in an unusually low scoring match at Chester Road Sports Club in which Dylan Griffiths (4-19) returned excellent second innings figures to help dismiss the visitors cheaply and keep alive their hopes of survival alive as they are now less than a win behind Oldswinford 1^st XI who are teetering in tenth place and need a win from their last two matches to be certain of survival.

Elsewhere in the division, Waqas Ahmed (130) scored a first innings century to help lay the foundations for Lye 1^st XI in a forty eight run win against Hagley 1^st XI who chased well but eventually fell short despite the best efforts of Daniel Giles (82), a result that means Hagley will now almost certainly need to win their last two matches to stand any chance of avoiding the drop avoid the drop. Pedmore 1^st XI beat fourth placed Coombs Wood 1^st XI after bowling them out cheaply in the second innings and finally Worcester 1^st XI beat Halesowen 2^nd XI by five wickets at Seth Somers Park to guarantee first division cricket next season.

In Division TwoRaynaldo Estwick (78) and Greg Chinn (54) posted second innings half centuries for Bromsgrove 2^nd XI in a five wicket victory in the key top of the table clash against Enville 1^st XI for whom in form Spencer Mann (78*) and Matt Branch (63) had earlier posted half centuries for the home club at Enville Hall. This result means that Bromsgrove 2^nd XI are now just thirteen points away from promotion and the title as Burghill, Tillington & Weobley 1^st XI who beat Himbleton 1^st XI (now relegated) and Himley 2^nd XI who beat Bredon 1^st XI by three wickets now sit level on points twenty eight points off top spot.

Elsewhere, another team to take advantage of Enville 1^st XIs loss were Alvechurch & Hopwood 1^st XI for whom Mark James (85) scored a second innings half century in a five wicket win against Astwood Bank 2^nd XI which takes the East Worcestershire outfit in to fourth place just six points off the promotion places and two points above Enville who are now fifth..

In other matches in the division, sixth placed Harborne 3^rd XI beat Belbroughton 1^st XI by six wickets a result that keeps their outside chances of promotion alive and means Belbroughton 1^st XI will play their cricket in division three next season alongside Himbleton 1^st XI and finally Andy Rogers (92) and Ryan Trattell (87) made healthy first innings contributions for Bartestree & Lugwardine 1^st XI to set up a comfortable win against Cookley 1^st XI to keep their mathematical chance of promotion alive, but unlikely.

Congratulation s to Netherton 1^st XI who became Division Threetitle winners despite losing by three wickets to Martley 1^st XI at Highbridge Road as both second placed Avoncroft 1^st XI (for whom in form William Baker 125 posted his fifth century of the season) lost by forty for runs to Brockhampton 2^nd XI (for whom Glynn Harrhy 80 and Joe Pritchard 54 posted first innings half centuries) and Barnards Green 2^nd XI were beaten by Redditch 2^nd XI who climbed above them in to third place after winning a high scoring match at North End Lane which included a first innings century for Barnards Green 2^nd XI opening batsman Robin Wilson (106), (82) from Redditch batsman Yassar Altaf alongside (98*) from Anis Suleman who finished the second innings just two runs short of a deserved century. These results mean that the second promotion place can now be taken by all of the above and also Stourbridge 2^nd XI who are twenty five points off the pace with two matches remaining after taking advantage of the negative results of the top three when Ali Rashid (85) led them to a six wicket victory against Old Elizabethans that all but ended their promotion hopes.

Elsewhere, Joe Sullivan (96) helped Old Vigornians 1^st XI gain an important win against Old Hill 2^nd XI at the Kings School which keeps their hopes of survival alive but doubtful and Yasir Mahmood (4-2) and Owen Rae (4-9) shared eight first innings wickets between in a nine wicket Feckenham 1^st XI win against already relegated Coombs Wood 2^nd XI.

Netherton 2^nd XI took one step closer to winning Division Fourby beating Rushwick 2nd XI by a wide margin at the Alf Tolley Memorial Ground after posting a first innings total that proved too many for the home team to chase, a result that means the Black Country outfit are now thirteen points ahead of their local rivals Lye 2^nd XI who kept up with the pace by beating Worcester 2^nd XI by a fifty four run margin at Norton Barracks. Third placed Claverley 1^st XI lost by three wickets against Stourport-on-Severn 2^nd XI at Sandford Park which means they are now level on points with West Malvern 1^st XI who managed to restrict Romsley & Hunnington 1^st XI to a gettable second innings total thanks largely to the efforts of all-rounder Charles Bevan (5-43) who returned excellent first innings figures in a seven wicket win, however, they are both now twenty three points behind Lye 2^nd XI who must now be real favourites for the second promotion place.

In other matches in the division, Khizar Khan (182) posted a first innings hundred in a losing cause as Five Ways Old Edwardians 1^st XI lost by four wickets to Eastnor 1^st XI who chased down three hundred and fifty in the second innings thanks to second innings contributions from Mohammed Ibrar Munir (98*) who finished two short of a deserved century, Raheel Lone (64) and Allah Ditta\ (52). Chaddesley Corbett 2^nd XI beat Bromsgrove 3^rd XI by a tight five run margin to stay twenty eight points above a relegation zone that includes Eastnor 1^st XI who need to win their next two matches to have any chance of survival and Worcester 2^nd XI who lost to Lye 2^nd XI which means they will be playing their cricket in division five next season.

In Division FiveJoshua Stafford (4-32) helped Worcester Nomads 2^nd XI restrict Pershore 2^nd XI to a first innings total that they reached for the loss of eight wickets to record an important win that helped them shoot to the top of the table nine points keeps clear of former leaders Harborne 4^th XI who were handsomely beaten by ten wickets by Barnt Green 3^rd XI a result that threw the promotion places up in to the air again as Matthew Williams (122) and Karl Goddard (76*) ensured Droitwich Spa 2^nd XI gained maximum points against Hanley Castle & Upton 1^st XI to move in to

 third position just twelve points off the pace with two matches remaining. Pershore 2^nd XI slipped to fourth place four points behind as a result of their loss to Nomads whilst fifth placed Malvern 1^st XI kept their outside chances of promotion alive when Matt Vickers (100) and S Abel (80*) ensured they posted too many in the first innings for Colwall 2^nd XI to chase at the Ramblers Ground.

Elsewhere in the division, Danilel Cooper (81) helped Pedmore 2^nd XI cruise to an eight wicket win against Halesowen 3^rd XI  and Bewdley 2^nd XI beat Astwood Bank 3^rd XI by seven wickets which leaves the Bank twenty six points above the relegation zone that includes Hanley Castle & Upton 1^st XI and Halesowen 3^rd XI who will both almost definitely need to win their remaining two matches to avoid the drop.

James Trinham (4-31) helped Division Sixleaders Hagley 2^nd XI restrict Old Vigornians 2^nd XI to a first innings total that his team passed for the loss of just five wickets to record a win that guaranteed promotion and moved them to within seven points of the title as they now enjoy a thirty four point gap to second placed Stourbridge 2^nd XI who managed to win a tight game against Enville 2^nd XI by just eight runs which in turn helped them leap frog their opponents and allowed Cutnall Green 1^st XI to draw level on points in third place when Dhanushka Wijesinghe (100) struck a second innings century that helped secure maximum points against Cleobury Mortimer `1^st XI (for whom Sam Evans, 105 had posted a first innings century). Just twelve points now separates second position to fourth with two matches remaining which suggest the second promotion position will remain up for grabs right to the bitter end.

In other matches in the division, Bromyard 2^nd XI made the long trip to play Himley 3^rd XI and walked away with an eight wicket victory to remain in mid division. Rick Wrigley (224*) smashed an unbeaten double century for Belbroughton 2^nd XI To help record an important win that guarantees their place in the division next season and finally, Kempsey 1^st XI conceded to Alveley 1^st XI which means once their penalty if applied they will need to gain another twelve points to relegate both Himley 3^rd XI and Cleobury Mortimer 1^st XI who definitely need t win their final two matches to stand any chance of avoiding the drop.

Andrew Adams (68) scored a half century in the second innings to ensure Tenbury Wells 1^st XI cruised to a comfortable seven wicket win against Stourport-on-Severn 3^rd XI to remain at the summit of Division Seven, twenty five points ahead of Claverley 2^nd XI for whom Noshad Hussain (6-18) returned excellent first innings figures in an eight wicket win against Five Ways Old Edwardians 2^nd XI at the Masshouse results that mean Tenbury require just one point to guarantee promotion and sixteen points from their remaining two matches to secure the title and Claverley who are fifteen points clear of Burghill, Tillington & Weobley 2^nd XI (who beat Ombersley 3^rd XI for whom Ashley Damm 109* carried his bat in the second innings) need to win both matches to secure the second promotion place.

In other matches in the division, Dave Robinson (111) posted a first innings century for fourth placed Bartestree & Lugwardine 2^nd XI in their comprehensive victory against Oldswinford 2^nd XI. A Edavalath (81*) was the main contributor for Barnards Green 3^rd XI in their ten run win against Rushwick 2^nd XI at Newland and fifth placed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Birlingham 1^st XI beat Bromsgrove 3^rd XI by four wickets at the Hedges Ground which means its two from three for relegation with Bromsgrove 4^th XI seventeen points from safety and Stourport-on-Severn 3^rd XI and Ombersley 3^rd XI separated by just two points with two matches remaining and all to play for.

Alvechurch & Hopwood 2^nd XI beat table toppers Harvington 1^st XI by six wickets to close the gap to eight points at the summit of Division Eight a result that gave third placed Romsley & Hunnington 2^nd XI renewed hope of promotion as they remain less than a win behind second placed Alvechurch & Hopwood  after beating Kidderminster 4^th XI by a nine wicket margin which means that if the beat Highley 1^st XI next week there will be a promotion ‘showdown’ against Alvechurch & Hopwood 2^nd XI on the final day of the season.

Elsewhere, fourth placed Halesowen 4^th XI and fifth placed Old Elizabethans 3^rd XI recorded wins against Highley 1^st XI and Cookley 2^nd XI respectively to retain the status quo  and leave their two opponents in the drop zone eight points adrift of Worcester 3^rd XI who are teetering after losing to Stone 1^st XI (for whom C Harler posted a first innings century) and finally P Gardner (6-19) ensured Martley 2^nd XI had enjoyed a comfortable afternoon by taking six second innings cheaply in their win against Feckenham 2^nd XI.

In Division Nine (North)group winners Harborne 5^th XI who had already secured a home play-off tie were conceded to by Coombs Wood 3^rd XI who finished bottom of the table and Droitwich Spa 4^th XI despite losing to Oldswinford 3^rd XI for whom John Wall (6-39) took six second innings wickets in their sixty eight run win were the two teams that progressed to the play offs (see below for full draw). Whilst in other matches Mark Buttery (118) compiled a second innings century in Netherton 3^rd XIs seven wicket win against Enville 3^rd XI. Hamzah Iqbal (88), Adeel Khan (77) and Devesh Patel (52) posted first innings half centuries in Stourbridge 4^th XIs win against Alveley 2^nd XI (for whom Rich Sinclair 83 compiled a second innings half century) and finally Harees Mohammed (128) posted a first innings century for Himley 4^th XI to set up a comfortable win against Bewdley 3^rd XI.

In Division Nine (Central)Oliver Hills (77) and Harvey Phillips (56) helped Cookhill 1^st XI who were already guaranteed a home quarter final play off tie beat Redditch Entaco 4^th XI by a wide margin and Droitwich Spa 3^rd XI beat Chaddesley Corbett 3^rd XI to guarantee themselves a home tie and Harborne 6^th XI are the third qualifier from the group despite losing to Avoncroft 2^nd XI for whom Phil Seers (86) and Marc Wood (65) scored first innings half centuries.  Whilst in other matches in the division, Himbleton 2^nd XI beat Hagley 3^rd XI by eight wickets and Old Elizabethans 4^th XI were conceded to by Astwood Bank 4^th XI who finish bottom.     

In Division Nine (South)Kempsey 2^nd XI beat Bosbury 1^st XI by a wide margin to secure their home play-off quarter-final tie whilst other qualifiers from the group were Brockhampton 3^rd XI for who Iolo Bubb (73*) compiled an unbeaten second innings half century to guide his team home to an eight wicket victory against Eastnor 2^nd XI and Hallow Taverners 1^st XI for whom Dave Shuck (97) and Lee Shuck (67) helped post a first innings total that proved too many for Colwall 3^rd XI to chase. Whilst elsewhere, Barney Cooper (91) helped Bredon 2^nd XI post a first innings total that eventually proved well out of reach for Bromyard 3^rd XI and Mark Walker (60) to a seven wicket win against Malvern 2^nd XI.

Nb; Please note that the WCL are currently investigating the abnormal and illegal concession of Kempsey C 1^st XI on Saturday. WCL rules suggested that matches should be conceded from the lowest team to the highest team and not the higher team first. This concession means that Kempsey 2^nd XI could be penalised points which would mean they would not qualify for the play-off places if found guilty.

1             Best Group Winner                         (Harborne 5^th XI – 345 points / NRR 3.00)

2             2^nd Best Group Winner                    (Cookhill 1^st XI – 345 points / NRR 2.46)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

3             3^rd Best Group Winner                    (Brockhampton 3^rd XI – 274 points)

4             4^th Best Qualifier                              (Droitwich Spa 3^rd XI - 319 Points)

5             5^th Best Qualifier                              (Droitwich Spa 4^th XI – 289 points)

6             6^th Best Qualifier                              (Harborne 6^th XI – 272 points)

7             7^th Best Qualifier                              (Hallow Taverners 1^st XI – 269 points)

8             8^th Best Qualifier                              (Bredon CC 2^nd XI – 261 points)    

Which gives a Final Play Off Draw as follows;

QF1        (1) Harborne 5^th XI v (8) Bredon CC 2^nd XI

QF2        (4) Droitwich Spa CC 3^rd XI v (5) Droitwich Spa CC 4^th XI

QF3        (2) Cookhill 1^st XI v (7) Hallow Taverners CC 1^st XI

QF4        (3) Brockhampton CC 3^rd XI v (6) Harborne CC 6^th XI

The Division Nine Play Off matches will be played on the following dates;

Quarter-Finals                   Saturday 3^rd September – 12 Noon Start

Semi-Finals                         Saturday 10^th September – 12 Noon Start

Final                                     Saturday 17^th September – 12 Noon Start (Cinderella Ground, Worcester)