HIMLEY have avoided dropping out of Birmingham League cricket despite their match against Leamington being abandoned.

Greg Wright’s side needed 10 points going into the final two games of the season in their bid to avoid the drop.

After losing the toss, Himley were put into bat but got off to a rocky start, with Wright (13) and Oliver Westbury (29) falling to leave the home side on 87-2.

But Callum Lea (113*) – who scored his first league century – and Shehan Fernando (130*) set Leamington a run chase of 320 off their 41 overs.

With the weather turning, Leamington were given a revised target of 227 from 26 overs, but only one over was played with the visitors at 12 for 1 when the match was abandoned.

The result gave Himley the 10 points they needed to guarantee their safety.

A relieved Wright said although he was happy to have avoided the drop, the whole season has been a disappointment for a side who were expected to be challenging at the other end of the Division One table.

“It all worked out in the end,” the skipper said. “Obviously there was a bit of pressure on us to make sure we got the 10 points, especially after coming so close to winning last week against Shifnal.

“And I’m really pleased for Callum for getting his first league century, which is fantastic for him.

“But it’s been a tough season, it’s not been right both on and off the pitch, and we know things are going to have to change in all aspects of the club.

“Things haven’t gone our way this season with player availability and other issues at the club, while key senior players – myself included – haven’t played to the levels we can.

“But we are already rebuilding and looking ahead to what we can do to improve for next season.

“We have a plan in place and we have a long list of players who we will be talking to once the season finishes to try and improve the playing squad.”

Himley will end their season with a final day trip to Seth Somers Park to face Halesowen this Saturday (noon start).