A LAST-gasp bonus point proved enough to rubber stamp Cleobury Mortimer’s ascent to Midlands Two rugby in Saturday’s 26-7 win at Harborne.

Many expected Cleobury to require something from their final-day showdown with table-topping Ludlow but promotion rivals Burntwood suffered a 46-15 thrashing at Uttoxeter.

Even with that result, their fate was only sealed at the death courtesy of a fourth try as Dave Shorter, Hayden Edwards, Alex Brazier and Will Watts made certain.

But coach Will Bache revealed the triumph had come at a cost with Sam Bills suffering a broken foot and Alfie Smith a nasty mouth injury that will keep them out of the title decider on home soil on Saturday week.

“To have it secured is pleasing,” said Bache. “I put a bit of pressure on the lads because they had not been reaching the level we expected but in the past two matches against Handsworth and Harborne, they were back to their best.

“We went 7-0 down and found Harborne very difficult to break down. They have a well-drilled defensive team and we had to get our bonus point with the last play of the game.

“The boys have worked really hard and deserve their success but Sam’s injury was a killer and let’s just say Alfie had his teeth rearranged.”

Burntwood’s slip was met with raised eyebrows across the division but Bache revealed he had anticipated a tough time for Cleobury’s rivals.

“I was not surprised, to be honest,” he added. "Uttoxeter turned Ludlow over up there so I was hopeful.

“Maybe the margin of the defeat was a shock but I always felt they could do us a big favour. We were absolutely delighted.”