Old Hill CC were left to wonder what might have been last Saturday after blowing their promotion hopes with a crushing last day defeat at Stratford-upon-Avon.

The Haden Hill Park outfit headed to relegation-threatened Stratford looking to hold onto second spot in the Division One and secure promotion back to the Premier Division.

But they left downhearted after a listless batting display consigned them to an 87 run defeat.

What made the result all the more frustrating was that Bromsgrove and Brockhampton, their two main rivals, also suffered defeats, the latter going down by 31 runs to relegated Halesowen.

Everything appeared to be going well for Old Hill as the hosts won the toss and elected to bat first.

Elliot Wilson and Zafran Ali opened the bowling for Old Hill and after nine overs Stratford were 12-3.

But some determined batting by Lamb (51), Zaman (37), Neale (27) and Best (22), took them up to 167-9, with Wilson taking (3-44) and Ali (3-37).

In reply, Old Hill got off to the worst possible start as young Mike Hingley was out for one.

With the Stratford attack bowling a good line and length, coupled with some poor shot selection from the visitors’ batsmen, the hosts scythed through the remainder of their innings with consummate ease.

Only Round (19) and county player Richard Jones (20) reached double figures.

The Second XI lost the toss in their reduced overs game against Himley at Haden Hill and were put in to bat on a wet wicket after overnight rain.

Old Hill got off to their usual fast start but lost three early wickets to find themselves on 50-3 off 11 overs.

Only Mo Shoaib (39) showing any resistance as the hosts were bowled out for just 106 runs.

Himley’s reply started badly with two batsmen back in the pavilion with only one run on the board after four overs.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as the visitors stumbled to 65-6. However, a resolute innings of 41 from Hussein helped guide Himley home for an unlikely victory over their newly promoted rivals.

Best bowling for the home side were captain Mo Javaid (2-18) and Jon Baig (2-24).

Halesowen signed off from life in Division One with an impressive 31 run win at promotion-chasing Brockhampton.

After being put into bat, Hales hit 234 in just over 53 overs with Wes Griffiths (43) Mo Ishtiaq (38) and Shalith Warnapura (34) the top scorers.

The visitors then dismissed Brockhampton for 203 in 52.4 overs as the hosts struggled to come to terms with the run rate.

Seamer Andy Roberts grabbed 3-48 with spinner Kish Patel taking 3-65.