HALESOWEN Cricket Club made history last weekend as they claimed their first major silverware in 14 years.

Around 300 enthusiastic supporters were at New Road to see them lift the Worcestershire Cricket Board Canterbury County Cup trophy with a 39-run win over Hagley CC on Sunday.

It was their first big success since winning the Birmingham League Premier Division way back in 2002 and will undoubtedly live long in the memory.

Fireworks from captain Wes Griffiths (52 from 25 balls) saw Halesowen reach an imposing total of 166-6 from their 20 overs.

And the T20 skipper was quick to sing the praises of those involved behind the scenes after their unforgettable win.

Griffiths said: “Without a doubt this is my most memorable day at Halesowen and one which we as a club are immensely proud of.

“Personally I had a day I could only have dreamed of, but it’s also really great to do it with a group of close friends and mates who deserved their day.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone behind the scenes for all the efforts they put in as its days like this that make you realise why you do it.

“A special thanks to the likes of Chairman Richard Evans and Groundsman Gary Patchett, as well as our great sponsors Big Pet Store.

“Finally, we’d like to wish Hagley CC all the best for the remainder of their league campaign. They gave us a very tough time at certain points in the game and played a big part in an exciting Final.”

Kester Moseley (30) and Hassan Bubbs-Quami (29) had set a strong platform for Griffiths late-innings fireworks as they reached good score on a green surface.

They quickly pegged back Hagley in their reply, with paceman Dylan Ross-Watt taking 4-9 to put them on the back foot before spinner Bubbs-Quami took 3-24 in the closing stages to see them over the line.

Club coach Richard Cox, who played for the team when they won the league back in 2002, believes their overdue win was well worth the way.

Cox said: “As one of very few people that has spanned the 14 year wait for this, nothing gave me more pleasure than to see the thrill of this victory on these young players faces.

“It is just reward for the efforts they put in not just each Saturday, but in the winter practices and the summer training sessions.

“We saw players performing skills we have been working on for long periods of time and that is what this is all about – doing it when it matters.

“This was not only about the players out there but also our Club Captain Richard Brooker who although not playing T20 this season has marshalled this young group so admirably through the League campaign. He too should take much credit for this.”

A day earlier, Halesowen's first XI saw their league game reduced to a 20-over affair due to the rain which caused the second, third and fourth XI games to be washed out.

Ed Kilbee (53*) and Griffiths (29*) saw them reach 111-4 against Tamworth, but their promotion rivals reached the target in a tense affair with just six balls to go.

The result leaves Halesowen fourth in the table and 14 points off the promotion places with two games to go.

Club captain Brooker added: “In honesty most teams would not have managed to get a game on due to the weather, but credit to both sides for giving it a go.

“After losing the toss we knew it would be tricky to bat and maybe we were 20 light on the day. In the field we felt we had a run out first ball from a direct hit which would have changed the shape of the game, it didn’t go our way and that’s cricket sometimes.

“We fought hard but we needed to take regular wickets to create pressure and that didn’t really happen. We still have two games to go and much to fight for against two teams that we should do well against.”

They will host a huge game against Old Elizabethans CC at Seth Somers Park on Saturday (noon), whilst the second XI travel to Wolverhampton (12.30pm).

The third XI will host Kidderminster plus the fourth XI will head to Ross on Wye (both 12.30pm start).