CAPTAIN Zack Yarranton dedicated Tenbury’s tense final-day title success to the club’s long-suffering army of volunteers.

Yarranton’s men had already secured promotion from Worcestershire Division Five but were left with a nervous wait as the rain lashed down during their clash against Droitwich on Saturday.

Tenbury had done their part by roaring to 261 for four from 38 overs with Yarranton declaring in the hope of bowling out the visitors.

But as the heavens opened, title rivals West Malvern were back on the pitch and chasing a win that would have toppled Tenbury at the last.

Rather than give up on the fixture, Yarranton held firm and once the rain had passed his side picked up a winning draw and 14 league points, nine more than they would have received for an abandoned fixture.

And once news arrived that West Malvern had collapsed to 114 for seven against Barnt Green III, the champagne corks were popping.

Yarranton told the Tenbury Wells Advertiser: “We went back out before tea and I managed to get two wickets but the rain came while we were in.

“I kept them sat there for two hours because I knew we needed 11 more overs to avoid the match being abandoned.

“One of the lads was on the phone to West Malvern and the guy that runs the league told us they had restarted while we were sat in the pavilion.

“The weather was getting pretty bad but I couldn’t shake their captain’s hand and write it off because it was still all to play for.

“It was tense but we got the trophy and everyone was in high spirits.

“We have been falling down the leagues for the past few years so it is nice to be heading back in the right direction and to see so many smiles on faces.

“Everyone puts in a lot of hard work, running the club and preparing the wicket, so it is good for the lads and the people behind the scenes to have a bit of success.

“It was a great night and the champagne was flowing. It all went to plan in the end!”

Having lost the toss, Yarranton was surprised Droitwich had put his team in to bat but they quickly set a high standard with Henry Anton (54), Andrew Adams (72) and Tom Rawlings (49) scoring well.

Droitwich simply could not match their opponents with the bat and Yarranton (2-14) led from the front with Tenbury’s only wickets.

The visitors ended play on 20 for two from 20 overs.