A MIXED August Bank Holiday weekend ended with Bromyard securing promotion back to division dne of the Worcestershire County Cricket League at the first attempt.

After the disappointment of losing to second-placed Barnards Green away on Saturday Bromyard put in a clinical display to dispose of likely relegation candidates Cookley on Bank Holiday Monday.

Seeing the state of the North Worcestershire ground Bromyard were relieved to win the toss and ask their opponents to bat.

James Hine soon got the breakthrough, having veteran left-hander Phil Dixon caught at short-leg for a duck. He picked up the important wicket of Paul Harris, bowled for nine soon after, to make it 25-2.

Cookley were really struggling when Hine continued his superb spell by bowling New Zealander John Blakeley for six and having skipper Adam Nicholls lbw for a duck, making it 46-4.

Number three John Martin had ridden his luck to good effect however, and with Stuart Nichols he added 42 for the fifth wicket before Nicholls was bowled by an outswinger from the newly-introduced David Taylor for 13. The in-form Taylor then had Martin lbw for 44 with another fine delivery to make it 89-6.

Ben Ford then got in on the act by bowling M Perom for five and youngster B Quinlan for three to leave Cookley 97-8. A third wicket for Dave Taylor, wicket-keeper M Williams being caught low at mid-on by Chris Simmonds for one, left Cookley 110-9 and Zahid wrapped the innings up soon after by bowling Gary Mills for 19 after a couple of big hits from the number nine. James Hine picked up 4-39 from 14 whole-hearted overs, with three maidens, Dave Taylor picked up 3-13 from seven overs with three maidens, Ben Ford 2-43 from 11 overs with four maidens and Zahid 1-17 from 10.3 overs with one maiden as Cookley were all out for 117 after 42.3 overs.

In reply, Ash Bullock and Ben Ford weathered the early threat posed by the brisk out-swingers of John Blakeley and eventually saw Bromyard through to their target of 118 without loss, in 29 overs. Bullock looked something like his fluent best in making 61no with 12 4s, and Ford showed his solid technique and promise for the future in contributing 38no as Bromyard picked up 20 points.

Bromyard are 26 points ahead in first place with two games remaining and have secured promotion, with Netherton an unattainable 62 points behind in third place.

The seconds had a disappointing weekend but nevertheless put up to fighting displays.

At home to Barnards Green they bowled the league leaders out for 189, Dave Harris leading the way with 4-69 and receiving excellent support from 15-year-old Mike Reece with 3-35.

However, in reply only vice-captain Brian Pursall with 55 made a significant contribution and Bromyard were all out for 142 to go down by 47 runs.

On Monday, Cookley rattled up 226-4, Gavin Brown making 82 and S Kirby 42, Dave Harris picking up another two wickets to take his total for the season to 26, equalling the record number in a season for Bromyard seconds in the Worcester-shire League.

However. Bromyard's batting could not quite manage the target, with Pursall once again leading the way with 52 and receiving useful support from Mike Reece with 20 and Dan Mills with ten as the seconds were all out for 171 to lose by 55 runs.

With two games to go the seconds are thus 17 points adrift of Kidderminster Victoria at the foot of the table.