BROCKHAMPTON Ladies kept their title hopes alive in the West Midlands Women’s Division Two after knocking J G Meakin from the top following an enthralling nine-run victory.

Opting to bat first Brockhampton went to task with openers Chloe Tingle (25) and Evie Graff (12) exhibiting their experience against the Meakins bowlers.

Georgie Williams came to the middle and swiftly formed a formidable partnership with Tingle. Tingle, who played a well-crafted innings, contributed 25 runs before making way for the captain, Dannie McQueen.

Williams proved to be the backbone of Brockhampton's batting lineup, top-scoring with 37 runs before being bowled by Isabel Higgins.

McQueen (14) and Medi Bubb (7) also made valuable contributions to the team's total. Evie Richards, batting at number 7, displayed resilience and remained unbeaten at 12 runs, helping Brockhampton set a challenging target of 187 runs.

The home team's bowlers  then made it difficult for the Meakins openers to score freely and an early wicket soon came for Brockhampton when keeper Kendrick took a catch off Tingle's bowling, dismissing one of the Meakins openers (10-1).

The contest eventually turned into a tactical battle as Meakins aimed to keep up with the required run rate.

With the urgency to seize the initiative, Brockhampton intensified their efforts, realising that Meakins needed boundaries to stay in the hunt. The wickets began to tumble, with Evie Richards, Tingle, Honor Watts, and Evie Graff all contributing with crucial dismissals.

Meakins eventually needed 10 runs to snatch victory in the final over. Georgie Williams, equipped with nerves of steel, took the ball and with her first delivery claimed the final wicket and sealed victory.

Meanwhile, the new Bartestree Ladies team played their first 100 ball match when they played two games against Kington Comets.

Kington set a target of 90-1 in the first match which Bartestree fell short of finishing on 54-6. However, roles were reversed in the second match as Bartestree set a target of 42 and then defended their score as the Comets hit 28.