Halesowen Sport

Rivals vie for title glory

3:20pm Thursday 9th September 2010

RIVALS Pedmore and Oldswinford go into the final weekend of the season facing a shootout for the Worcester League Division Two crown.

Unbeaten Pedmore confirmed their promotion last weekend with a winning draw at Belbroughton, while only a turnaround of epic proportions can prevent Oldswinford from joining their neighbours in Division One next year.

But both clubs will be putting any extreme celebrations on hold as they battle for top spot on the final day.

Unbeaten Pedmore have led the way for nearly the whole campaign and skipper Stuart Bate is keen to finish the job.

He said: “It’s quite interesting it has gone to the last game.

“Our main goal was promotion but we have been at the top for a long time now and we will be going all out for the win.

“We have the chance to stay unbeaten and go up as champions.

“That would be three great achievements.”

Pedmore’s superb season has been littered with some excellent individual performances with both ball and bat.

But Bate’s side have also showed an ability to dig in and win when their backs were against the wall and the skipper believes team spirit has been key to the success.

He added: “I think there have been four or five games we have won by only one or two wickets.

“At Coombs Wood we needed a big final wicket partnership and at Feckenham we recovered from a disastrous start.

“All season we have had around 15 players who have been committed to the cause and eager to win.

“We’ve had the desire and that has been key.”

Oldswinford need just three points to join Pedmore in Division One after winning away at Burghill and Tillington.

The hosts batted and put on 273-5 off 50 overs, with 16-year-old Jack Stanier the pick of the bowlers.

Oldswinford began their chase and lost the wicket of the in-form Tom Blunt cheaply but a century stand between Asa Robinson (58) and Lee Nightingale (48) got them back on target.

When they both departed to loose shots Oldswinford were in a bit of trouble at 117-3 but Danny Attwood 44 and a classy 73 not out from Dave Hayward saw them home.

Skipper Jamie Perks says his side are only concentrating on catching Pedmore.

He said: “It is close and we are trying to win the league.

“It is very close between us and Pedmore and no pressure on us at all.

“The main thing was getting promoted, we have done that. It was great to bounce back at the first time of asking.”

Elsewhere, Hagley will be looking to pick up the four points they need from their clash with Monmouth in order to be mathematically safe.

They are ninth in the standings after a disappointing defeat to Feckenham last weekend.

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