Leamington clinch promotion and now turn attentions to winning the title

The Division Two leaders now need just a point at home to Tamworth tomorrow to secure the title.

Leamington had strengthened their grip on top spot on Saturday with a five-wicket win at Eastnor.

The hosts elected to bat on a wicket that was to deteriorate as the match went on and, for the second week running, Spa gifted far too many wides - 38 - to their opponents.

Fisher (29) and Chadhani (31) rode their luck to add 57 for the second wicket before the introduction of Faisal Khalid (2-39), Mark Ashcroft (2-17) and Max Webber (3-19) put the brakes on.

However, Eastnor reached an above-par 200 for eight, which, after a short rain break, left Leamington needing 197 off 47 overs.

Ashcroft went early before Webber (14) joined Shahbaz Alam (17) and the pair added 37 before both falling on 47.

Lee Hopkins joined David Bailey and both batsmen played with great maturity to swing the game back in Leamington’s favour. When Bailey (44) was caught, a partnership of 87 had put Leamington on the brink of victory.

Jonathan Wigley (14 not out) ensured there were no further alarms but it was the innings of Hopkins (78) that really caught they eye, with the in-form batsman revelling in his role of finisher in the absence of Rob Williams.

After five consecutive defeats, Leamington 2nds broke the sequence with victory over struggling Old Hill.

After winning the toss, Leamington’s decision to bowl looked ill-advised as the Shezad Aslam-inspired visitors raced to 115 without loss after 15 overs.

Change bowlers Jason Butler and Matt Davison broke the opening partnership with Aslam departing for 73 and Thomas Genders going for 26.

Leamington then picked up regular wickets with spin twins Jim Gethins (3-16) and Jagdeep Khurana (3-11) running through the Old Hill batting as the inings closed on 153 in the 35th over.

Openers Billy Hallett and Jack Berwick got Spa off to a positive start with Hallett returning to form with 46.

Joe Somra (32) also contributed well before senior pair Dave Hawkes and Jason Butler saw the team to a comfortable victory.

A seriously under-strength Leamington 3rds were brushed aside by Earlswood in the Cotswold Hills Premier.

Batting first, Leamington got off to a solid start with AJ Gothoskar (46) and Tom Mackrill (57) putting on 102 in 28 overs for the first wicket.

Earlswood then tore through the middle order as Leamington attempted to accelerate the scoring, with the needless run out of Mackrill just compounding Leamington’s problems.

All out for 137, Leamington then saw Earlswood’s target reduced to 125 by a rain interruption.

Despite the pace and bounce of Will Field (3-36) inducing three false shots, Earlswood eased their way to the target with seven wickets and 18 overs to spare.