TENBURY CC skipper Ben Thompson is confident his side will finish the job and clinch promotion on the final day of the Worcestershire League season this weekend.
Last Saturday’s five-wicket win over Five Ways means second-placed Tenbury will go up from Division Nine with victory from their last-day trip to mid-table West Malvern.
They could even leapfrog leaders Old Elizabethans to win the title but know that anything other than victory will open the door for third-placed Worcester thirds, who visit struggling Alveley.
Thompson said: “Given where we were at the halfway point of the season I certainly would have taken ‘a win and you’re up’ in the final game.
“I can’t see Worcester slipping up against Alveley and we certainly have a tougher game against West Malvern.
“But we are unbeaten over the last 11 games to get back into contention. We have a strong team out this weekend and I’m confident we can finish the job.
“I just hope the weather doesn’t play a part – the last thing we want is our game being abandoned and those around us winning.”
Nigel Payne and Alfie Watts took three wickets apiece to help dismiss Five Ways for 133, backed up by two fine catches from Joel Oliver.
Tenbury slipped to 23-3 in reply but David Hunt (39), Jonathan Pearson (29), Watts (24no) and Thompson (21no) got them home.
Cleobury Mortimer thrashed Claverley by nine wickets to keep alive their slim promotion hopes in Division Eight.
James Manley took 6-44 to help dismiss Claverley for 116 and Michael Green’s unbeaten 53 guided Mortimer home.
But, trailing second-placed Burghill by 21 points, Cleobury must claim a 24-point win over Eastnor and hope their promotion rivals lose heavily.
Skipper Sam Evans said: “It’s a very, very slim chance but Avoncroft (Burghill’s opponents) are a good side who have beaten the leaders. We just have to make sure we win our game."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here