BARTESTREE and Lugwardine Cricket Club firsts fell at the final hurdle as Alvechurch & Hopwood CC denied them league honours.

Having already secured promotion out of the Worcestershire County League Division Two a win would have rounded off a brilliant season for the Herefordshire side.

However, Alvechurch knew that a win and Himley defeat would give them promotion into Division One.

On a boiling hot day Alvechurch won the toss and unsurprisingly elected to bat. The visitors’ openers were looking good until a long hop from Ryan Trattell was hit straight down Adam Davies’ throat and he took a good catch. 

However, half-centuries from Tom Shepherd and Johangir Khan put Alvechurch into a commanding 137-2.

That was until Ranjit William (3-43) came on and worked his magic taking two in two balls and turning the tide.

From that point Bartestree bowled and fielded incredibly well as Trattell (2-30) took a great direct hit and Davies (3-37) unsurprisingly picked up the most wickets as the visitors were bowled out for 180. 

Despite having an attainable target Bartestree failed to get going with the bat and Matt Tulacz being bowled out for a duck in the first over set the tone.

Davies top scored with 23 as the hosts were bowled out for a disappointing 88. With Himley comfortably winning at Enville they took the league honours with Bartestree second.