SKIPPER Ben Thompson hailed his 'Tenbury babes' after Wells made it back-to-back wins over Worcestershire League Division Nine promotion rivals.

A week after beating leaders Droitwich Spa, Wells shrugged off rain delays to chase down second-placed Old Elizabethans’ total with just four balls to spare.

Victory kept Tenbury – who host Romsley and Hunnington this Saturday – within reach of the top two and Thompson hailed the contribution of his younger players.

He said: “The most pleasing thing for me was that we fielded six junior players under 19 years of age against a very experienced Old Elizabethans side.

“The juniors’ fielding was outstanding especially Jay Griffiths, Harrison Davies and Jonny Duce.

“Jamie Farrar bowled beautifully with the new ball and Ash Wood finished well with late wickets at the death.

“It was a great performance with everyone contributing to the victory.

“That’s two wins in a row against the top two teams in the league and we are now in (joint) third position just ten points off the top.”

In a game reduced to 33 overs per side by early morning rain, Tenbury won an important toss, put Elizabethans in to bat and Farrar (2-18) quickly reduced them to 32-2.

Debutant Nigel Payne (2-15) and Wood (2-32) also struck but Simon Ward (58) and opener Andrew Gandon (46) ensured Elizabethans posted a competitive 156-7.

In reply, a superb opening partnership of 94 between Tom Pugh, who hit a string of boundaries in his 59, and man of the match Payne (40) set the platform for Tenbury’s chase.

They slipped from 94-0 to 134-5 but, needing five off the last over, Davies hit a great cover drive to level the scores before Thompson (28no off 16 balls) sealed the win.