HIMLEY Cricket Club catapulted themselves into the thick of the Birmingham League Premier Division title race with a last over win against Bromsgrove.

The Stourbridge Road outfit secured the win with just five balls to spare after an impressive run chase which helped them bounce up to fourth spot in the increasingly tight division.

Himley now lie just seven points behind leaders Knowle and Dorridge, with just ten points covering the top five positions.

Skipper Greg Wright said he was not surprised by the close-fought nature of the league this season.

He said: “We knew that was probably going to be the case. The way the league is set up this year it’s going to be quite open.

“I don’t think it’s as strong this year. There are probably five sides that are capable of winning it, it’s not going to be the two or three horse race it has been in the past.

“There is going to be some scrapping all the way down the league this year, all the way through the season.”

After the visitors won the toss and decided to bat, lusty hitting from Ashley Newdick (60) and Jayden Levitt (79) helped Bromsgrove to a commanding 257-7 from their 55 overs.

Shafiq Ahmed (3-80) was the pick of the Himley bowlers while youngster Jamie Lunn took 1-15 off seven overs.

The home side began the run chase in confident mood as opener Harshad Patel hit 74, with Wright himself then smashing 74 off 94 balls.

After both men were dismissed in quick succession, it was left to Michael Hill (26) and overseas player Saurabh Sehgal (14 not out) to see Himley over the line.

Despite the victory Wright was disappointed with his side’s display in the field.

He said: “It was a bit of a nerve-wracking effort but I felt we were always in control of the run chase - that’s credit to our batsmen.

“The one major worry was that we didn’t field very well and we need to step up that part of our game.

“We probably gave them around 20 runs in the field and if we had lost the game that’s what we would have pointed to.

“But in the end it was a great effort and a great win.”

Himley now face a trip to Moseley on Saturday (noon start). They will have to do without the services of star bowler Tim Heap who is ruled out for around three to four weeks with a groin injury.

Wright said he has been impressed by the way the rest of the bowling attack had stepped up to cover the loss.

He said: “I think we have been bowling in some really good areas. Some of the younger guys in particular have been doing well.

“Michael Hill’s figures have not really been doing him justice and I’ve been impressed with Jamie Lunn.

“We would expect the pitch at Moseley to be quite a spinner’s paradise and we will go there knowing we have a good chance of competing and bowling well.”